Date: November 3, 2026
The True Post (Web News)The Montreal Police Service has dismissed seven officers following allegations of racism, discrimination and abuse of authority, marking an unprecedented move in the history of the city’s police force.
Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher described the decision as extraordinary, saying firm action had become necessary to restore public confidence in the police service.
Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Dagher said that after reviewing investigations and several incidents, he concluded that rebuilding public trust required concrete action rather than promises.
He said the officers had been dismissed on administrative grounds to ensure they would no longer wear police uniforms, carry firearms or remain part of the force responsible for serving Montreal residents.
According to Dagher, the decision sends a clear message to the public, police partner organisations and individuals who were allegedly affected by the officers’ misconduct.
Five Dismissed Officers Previously Served at Station 39
Five of the seven dismissed officers had previously been assigned to Police Station 39 in Montreal’s northern district.
Earlier this summer, a 16-member team associated with the same station was disbanded after allegations emerged that officers had cut the hair of people from racial minority communities and kept it as trophies.
The allegations triggered a major controversy surrounding racism and discriminatory practices within the Montreal Police Service.
The other two dismissed officers were associated with Police Station 21 in the city’s central area. One faced allegations of racism, while the other was accused of discriminatory treatment of a vulnerable individual.
The police chief also addressed a media report alleging that an officer had urinated on a homeless person.
Dagher said the police service’s internal investigation had not uncovered an incident matching that specific allegation.
However, he acknowledged that another case involved extremely reprehensible conduct of a somewhat similar nature, although no human being was targeted. He clarified that the police were not investigating the specific allegation reported by the media.
Six Officers Were Already Suspended as Criminal Review Continues
According to Dagher, six of the seven officers had already been suspended before their dismissal.
The allegations involving the officers had also been referred to Quebec’s Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions to determine whether criminal charges should be pursued.
Dagher said the criminal review process was ongoing and police authorities were waiting for the prosecutor’s decision. He added that he could not predict what decision prosecutors would ultimately make.
Another controversy emerged last week involving an officer from Station 39 who was accused of deleting video evidence provided by a person who had experienced domestic violence.
The officer was reassigned to administrative duties last week. However, it remains unclear whether that individual is among the seven officers who have now been dismissed.
Police Chief Explains Reasons Behind the Dismissals
Dagher explained that the dismissals were administrative decisions made after several meetings reviewing the officers’ professional credentials and suitability to remain in the police service.
According to the police chief, investigators consulted with lawyers representing the city administration and prepared several assessment reports.
A review of those reports indicated that the officers no longer met the standards required under the police service’s professional conduct and eligibility regulations.
Their professional authorisations were subsequently revoked, meaning they could no longer remain employed by the city as police officers.
Mayor Welcomes Decision as Important Step Towards Restoring Public Trust
Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada welcomed the dismissals, describing them as an extraordinary step towards rebuilding public confidence in the police force.
She said no one was above the law or institutional rules, adding that although the process was difficult, it was necessary and should continue.
The decision was also welcomed by Fo Niemi, executive director of the Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR).
Niemi said he had never previously seen police officers dismissed in this manner over allegations of misconduct and racist behaviour.
He expressed hope that the decision would establish an important precedent and send a clear message that racism, prejudice, abuse of authority and mistreatment of members of the public would no longer be tolerated.
Meanwhile, the Red Coalition, an organisation working against systemic racism and racial profiling in Montreal, has called for an independent public inquiry into the police service.
The organisation believes an independent investigation is necessary to identify the underlying problems within the institution.
Opposition Says Dismissing Officers Alone Will Not Solve the Problem
Ericka Alneus, leader of the opposition party Projet Montréal at City Hall, described the dismissals as necessary but warned that the decision would not resolve the deeper problems within the police service.
She said Police Chief Fady Dagher had repeatedly maintained that only one per cent of officers were bringing discredit to the uniform.
However, Alneus argued that when residents call 911 for emergency assistance, they should not have to worry about the conduct of the officers who arrive to help them.
She called on Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada to summon the police chief before city council immediately so that he could answer questions about the allegations and the wider problems within the force.
Alneus said dismissing officers involved in violence and reprehensible conduct was necessary, but described it as only a first step.
She stressed that much more needed to be done to rebuild trust between Montreal residents and their police service.
The Montreal Police Brotherhood, meanwhile, declined to comment on the matter.
