Montreal police ban 'hog-tie' restraint after coroner links technique to man's death

Montreal police have ordered officers to stop using a restraint technique known as "hog-tying" — binding a person's hands and feet behind their back — after a coroner concluded it may have contributed to a death.

Abisay Cruz, 29, died during a police intervention in March 2025. A coroner's report released August 12 found Cruz died from cocaine intoxication and likely positional asphyxia, and deemed it "highly probable" that the position contributed to his death. Deputy Police Chief Marc Charbonneau announced the ban to city council's public security committee on Wednesday.

The SPVM sent an internal memo to officers following the coroner's report. The force noted the technique is not officially taught by either the SPVM or the École nationale de police du Québec. "We support the coroner's recommendations," the SPVM said in a statement, adding the force is committed to continuing its review of the report and implementing the findings.

The ban marks a response to specific findings about restraint and use-of-force practices. No other figures on the use of the technique or police-related deaths in the city during 2024 and 2025 have been made public.