SPVM dismantles Station 39 team over racism allegations
Two officers suspended, 11 reassigned after March complaints escalated to criminal investigation.
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Montreal police have dismantled a team at Station 39 in Montreal North following serious allegations of racist and discriminatory behaviour, Chief-Inspector David Shane said Tuesday.
Two officers have been suspended while others have been reassigned to administrative duties or different units. The allegations emerged in March but remained general until last Thursday, when enough specifics emerged for the SPVM to act immediately despite the ongoing investigation.
"Because of the severity of the allegations, in order to have a preventive measure to stop any new infractions from being committed," Shane said, the force decided to suspend two officers and reassign three others to administrative duties and 11 others to units where they would not answer 911 calls.
Quebec Interior Security Minister Ian Lafrenière announced Monday that he will appoint an independent observer to oversee the investigation and may order a public inquiry depending on findings.
The commander of Station 39, Elaine Mercier, was already set for retirement, with another commander in place since June 1. The SPVM is still investigating both criminal and disciplinary infractions, and three of the suspects are also alleged to be responsible for an attempted murder in Laval on December 31, 2022.