Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada urged for calm and assured the public that the truth regarding accusations of organized racist actions involving a police unit in Montréal-Nord would be uncovered.
During a press briefing on Saturday, Martinez Ferrada emphasized that any form of racial profiling, discrimination, or violence is not acceptable in Montreal or any society. The Montreal police have confirmed that 16 officers from Station 39 are being investigated for alleged racist and hateful behavior towards Black and Arab individuals during police stops.
The allegations, initially brought to light by Radio-Canada and other media outlets, led to an unprecedented late-night announcement by Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher, who stated that the investigation is ongoing and such behavior will not be tolerated within the force.
Reportedly, some officers at Station 39 were said to have gathered pieces of locs removed from individuals’ hair during police encounters, and tickets were allegedly issued based solely on the individuals’ ethnicity. Dagher revealed that these reported behaviors came from fellow officers within the station.
Two officers have been suspended, three reassigned, and the remaining unit members have been relocated to ensure no further contact with citizens. Two cases have been forwarded to Quebec’s director of criminal and penal prosecutions, potentially leading to criminal charges.
Addressing the residents of Montréal-Nord and those who have felt targeted or ignored, Mayor Martinez Ferrada acknowledged the strained trust between the public and law enforcement. She called for calm and emphasized the importance of uncovering the whole truth behind the allegations.
Furthermore, she pledged to ask pertinent questions to get to the bottom of the issue and collaborate with the Quebec government to expedite the deployment of body-worn cameras. Police Chief Dagher expressed his disbelief at the allegations, describing the officers involved as tarnishing the uniform and expressing deep disappointment at such actions in 2026.
Fo Niemi, Executive Director of the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR), noted that the reported details were unprecedented and deeply troubling. He mentioned receiving numerous complaints from residents near Station 39, ranging from excessive use of force to unjust arrests. Niemi expressed concerns about the potential impact on the relationship between residents and law enforcement in Montreal North.
Author and columnist Fabrice Vil questioned the police chief’s surprise at the allegations, emphasizing the prevalence of racial profiling issues. Mayor Martinez Ferrada also acknowledged systemic racism during the press conference and emphasized the need to address it openly for corrective measures.
Premier Christine Fréchette and the police union condemned the alleged actions, calling them unacceptable and contrary to the values of integrity and respect that should guide law enforcement. Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal expressed dismay and called for an expanded investigation to fully uncover the extent of the incidents.