A Montreal police (SPVM) officer who was suspended after allegedly urinating on a homeless person is being investigated by the Police Ethics Commissioner and Quebec’s police watchdog, the Bureau of Independent Investigations (BEI). Quebec Minister of Internal Security Guy Lapointe Jr. made the announcement on Sunday. “In accordance with section 286 of the Police Act, the director of the SPVM informed the Minister of Internal Security of a criminal allegation against a police officer,” a press release by the minister’s office said. “To maintain public trust, the minister has asked the Bureau of Independent Investigations and the Police Ethics Commissioner to each conduct an investigation into the allegations and the conduct of the police officer(s) involved.” On Oct. 16, newspaper La Presse reported on allegations of misconduct by two police officers from Station 21 in the city’s downtown area. One officer allegedly urinated on a homeless person while on duty, and another allegedly posed for photos that appeared to mock a suspect who was placed in a humiliating position during an arrest. Only the first incident is being investigated by the Commissioner and the BEI, though Montreal police said both officers have been suspended. “This is not a vote of no confidence in the Montreal police, nor is it a matter of questioning the quality of the investigation,” said Lapointe. “Rather, it is a matter of transparency. It is clear to me that, in this specific case, the investigation must be conducted by an external entity in order to preserve public trust.” READ MORE: Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada praised the decision. “Such behaviour is unacceptable and has no place in Montreal or in our society,” she wrote on social media. “Citizens’ trust in our institutions is based on respect, integrity and transparency. Citizens have a right to answers. It is essential to shed full light on the facts and to ensure that accountability is at the heart of the process.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Oct. 26, 2026.
