Montreal Police to Provide Update on Racism and Misconduct Investigation

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published August 10, 2026

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Montreal police are expected to provide an update Tuesday, August 11, on an internal investigation into allegations of racism, discrimination and misconduct involving officers from Station 39 in Montréal-Nord, nearly two months after two officers were suspended and the rest of a 16-member patrol team was reassigned.

The investigation began after the Montreal police service received information in March from its own employees concerning alleged misconduct by members of the station. Police later said the information gathered was serious enough to justify immediate measures while the investigation continued, including suspensions and the reassignment of other officers.

The allegations involve potential breaches of police disciplinary and ethics rules, as well as claims of discriminatory and racist conduct toward members of the public. Montreal police have also said some of the allegations could involve criminal offences, and a file was submitted to Quebec's Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions for review. The allegations have not been proven in court.

Internal police records obtained by The Canadian Press through access-to-information legislation indicate that Chief Fady Dagher later told employees in a recorded internal message that three officers had been suspended. Montreal police have not publicly confirmed that updated number and have said they will provide further information at Tuesday's public meeting.

Dagher announced in June that the patrol team had been disbanded and its members reassigned, saying racist and discriminatory behaviour would not be tolerated within the service. Police have said the measures were taken while the investigation remains active and were intended to protect the integrity of the process and prevent further alleged misconduct.

Investigators are also examining allegations that some officers took locks of hair from people during police encounters and kept them. A senior Montreal police official confirmed in June that the claim formed part of the allegations under investigation but declined to provide further details because some aspects of the case could involve criminal proceedings.

Since the controversy emerged, Montreal police have deployed a new team in the neighbourhood and held meetings with community members. Tuesday's meeting is expected to provide further information about the investigation and the measures introduced in Montréal-Nord since the original allegations became public.