Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada wants an independent investigation into allegations of racist conduct on the part of the city’s police force in Montreal North.
Police Chief Fady Dagher announced Friday two officers have been suspended while 14 others have been reassigned or relocated pending the outcome of an investigation into the alleged conduct.
“Although the investigation is ongoing, we will ensure that there is an independent investigative process,” Martinez Ferrada told reporters at city hall Monday.
The mayor didn’t specify who should lead the independent process and noted a public inquiry can’t be held without charges being laid. She did not take questions from reporters.
Police investigators are examining claims that Black people and individuals of Arab origin were disproportionately targeted in the borough’s diverse neighbourhoods.
Some officers are alleged to have made racist remarks and, according to reports by La Presse and Radio-Canada, members of the police team allegedly collected pieces of locs to keep as trophies from people they apprehended.
Martinez Ferrada said Monday she has convened an emergency meeting with the city’s public security committee and vowed to push the police department on how the alleged conduct was allowed to take place.
“We must ensure that there is an accountability process that is independent, genuine, direct and transparent,” she said. “We will ensure that we ask all the necessary questions to ensure that the full truth comes out — and also to ensure there are no other situations we are unaware of.”
The mayor said she is aware of protests planned over the issue Monday evening. She described them as “important” but called for calm.
“Citizens need an outlet for their frustration and anger, but I ask them to do so peacefully,” Martinez Ferrada said.
Speaking alongside the mayor, the head of the opposition, Projet Montréal Leader Ericka Alneus, said the situation has shaken Montrealers’ trust in the police department.
The city and police department must now work on rebuilding that trust, Alneus added.
“We expect the highest level of accountability from the police department,” Alneus said. “This is a matter of human dignity, public safety and the reputation of our city.”
The Quebec Liberal Party is also calling on the province to mandate the Sûreté du Québec to investigate the allegations.
Quebec Domestic Security Minister Ian Lafrenière said Monday he will assign an independent observer to “oversee the various stages of the investigation and ensure that everything proceeds properly.”
Lafrenière said he remains open to other steps, such as a police ethics review, transferring the investigation to another police service or to the province’s police watchdog, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes.
“We all want these heinous events to be brought to light. We all want a transparent process,” Lafrenière wrote in a social media post.