Evidence gathered as part of the Montreal police (SPVM)’s initial investigation into allegations of discriminatory acts and racism at Station 39 in the Montreal North borough has been submitted to the Crown prosecutor. In a press release on Monday, the force said it was now up to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions to determine the “appropriate” next steps. In June, two police officers were suspended after being suspected of committing repeated “discriminatory and racist” acts toward people they stopped while on duty, while a team of 14 officers was disbanded at the station and its members were relocated elsewhere. At the time, Chief Fady Dagher called the situation “deeply troubling” and said that racism and reprehensible acts would not be tolerated. He also revealed that some officers were keeping strands of braided hair (also known as “dreds,” short for dreadlocks) from people they had apprehended, as if they were trophies. “Other related cases are still ongoing. Consequently, we will not disclose any further details or grant any interviews on this matter,” the SPVM said in the release. The investigation is being conducted by the force’s Professional Standards Division. With files from the Canadian Press.
