Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada has called for restraint and transparency following serious allegations of racist conduct involving officers from a police unit based in Montréal-Nord. The mayor stressed that the public will be fully informed once investigations conclude and emphasized that discrimination and racial profiling have no place in any public institution.
The controversy centers on 16 officers from Station 39 of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), who are under investigation for alleged racist and hateful actions during interactions with Black and Arab residents. Authorities confirmed that some officers have already been suspended, reassigned, or removed from public contact as inquiries continue.
Mayor Martinez Ferrada acknowledged that the situation has weakened public trust between citizens and law enforcement, particularly in Montréal-Nord, where concerns about profiling have persisted for years. She stated that the city must confront systemic racism openly in order to implement meaningful reforms and rebuild confidence in public institutions.
Police leadership expressed shock at the allegations, with the chief of the SPVM stating he was deeply disturbed and emphasizing that such behaviour is unacceptable. The investigation reportedly includes claims that officers engaged in discriminatory ticketing practices and inappropriate handling of personal items during police encounters.
Political leaders and community representatives have also reacted strongly, calling for a broader criminal investigation to determine the full extent of the misconduct and whether similar practices exist in other units.
The Quebec Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions is now reviewing cases to determine whether criminal charges are warranted, while internal and external investigations continue.
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