Did you know that Montreal’s police service is short by 700 officers? This staffing crisis is just one of the challenges facing the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM). In January 2023, a historic change occurred when the city appointed its first police chief of colour, a leader committed to reform and community trust.
With an EMBA from McGill/HEC Montréal, this new chief brings a fresh perspective to policing. His approach focuses on flattening hierarchies and proactive strategies. He aims to transform the police service into a more inclusive and emotionally intelligent organization.
Recruitment is a key part of his vision. Instead of traditional methods, he prioritizes candidates like social workers and community animators. This shift aims to address the staffing shortage while fostering stronger ties with the community.
This article explores how these changes are shaping a new policy for street checks. The goal is to balance public safety with trust-building, ensuring fair treatment for all residents of ville Montréal.
Who is Fady Dagher?
From immigrant roots to leading a major police force, his journey is inspiring. Born in Ivory Coast with Lebanese heritage, he moved to Canada in 1985. Initially studying management, a conversation with a police officer changed his path. He switched to policing in 1991, driven by a desire to serve the citoyens of ville Montréal.
Background and Career Journey
His career is marked by bold decisions and groundbreaking initiatives. He worked undercover, infiltrating mafia gangs, and later led Montreal’s first racial profiling policy in Saint-Michel. Post-9/11, his experiences with racial profiling shaped his commitment to fairness and equity.
In Longueuil, he pioneered “partnership policing,” integrating social services to address mental health and homelessness. This innovative pratique earned him recognition as a leader who values collaboration and community well-being.
Vision for Community Policing
His vision is rooted in inclusivity and emotional intelligence. Fluent in six languages, he bridges cultural gaps and fosters trust. His EMBA training informs his approach to flattening hierarchies within the service police, promoting open communication and teamwork.
He believes in empowering personne and respecting droits while ensuring public safety. His leadership aims to transform the police ville Montréal into a model of modern, community-focused law enforcement.
“Policing is not just about enforcing laws; it’s about building relationships and trust,” he says.
This philosophy drives his efforts to create a more equitable and effective service police for all citoyens.
The New Street Check Policy: A Step Towards Transparency
Montreal’s police service is taking a bold step towards greater transparency with its nouvelle politique on street checks. This policy introduces key changes designed to build trust and ensure fair treatment for all citoyens interpellés.
Key Changes in the Policy
One of the most significant updates is the requirement for policiers to inform individuals they’re “free to leave” during stops. This mesure aims to prevent misunderstandings and reduce feelings of coercion. Additionally, officers must document every interaction, providing a clear record of the reasons for the stop and the outcome.
The policy also defines psychological detention, ensuring that individuals do not feel trapped or pressured during interactions. This pratique restricts both physical and psychological constraints, promoting respectful and lawful encounters.
How the Policy Promotes Trust
Starting in fall 2024, a real-time oversight committee will review all interpellations. This committee will identify patterns, such as frequent stops in specific neighborhoods or by certain officers, to address systemic biases. By doing so, the politique aims to reduce profilage racial and ensure accountability.
These changes align with the broader goal of reducing arbitrary stops while maintaining public safety. The ligue droits has praised the policy for its focus on equity and transparency, calling it a model for other cities.
| Policy Change | Impact |
|---|---|
| Officers inform individuals they’re “free to leave” | Reduces perceived coercion and builds trust |
| Documentation of interactions | Ensures accountability and transparency |
| Definition of psychological detention | Prevents physical and psychological constraints |
| Real-time oversight committee | Addresses systemic biases and problematic patterns |
Impact on the Community and Police Relations
The relationship between Montreal’s police and its diverse communities is undergoing a significant transformation. The new street check policy aims to address long-standing issues, particularly profilage racial, while fostering trust and accountability.
Addressing Racial Profiling
A 2019 rapport revealed stark disparities in street checks. Indigenous personnes were six fois plus likely to be stopped, and Black individuals were 3.5 times more likely compared to white citizens. These findings highlighted systemic biases and fueled calls for reform.
Advocacy groups like the ligue droits libertés have demanded a moratoire on street checks, calling the policy a “half-measure.” Lynda Khelil, a representative, criticized cette pratique as inherently discriminatory. However, the SPVM maintains that certain checks, like investigating suspicious activity in parks, are necessary for public safety.
Community Reactions and Expectations
Max Stanley Bazin of the ligue noirs québec has called for provincial anti-racism legislation to address these issues comprehensively. He emphasizes the need for systemic change beyond incremental policy improvements.
Alain Vaillancourt, Montreal’s public security head, supports the new policy as a step in the right direction. He believes it balances safety and trust while addressing community concerns. “We’re committed to listening and evolving,” he stated.
“Street checks must be fair, transparent, and respectful of droits libertés,” says Bazin.
As the policy rolls out, the focus remains on building a more equitable relationship between law enforcement and the personnes they serve.
Conclusion
Building trust between law enforcement and the community is a continuous effort. The new politique on street checks, under the leadership of Fady Dagher, emphasizes transparency as a foundation for change. While it may not solve all issues overnight, it marks a significant step forward in addressing profilage racial and improving interpellations.
Dagher’s priorities—recruitment, community outreach, and combating gun violence—reflect a commitment to proactive policing. Ongoing adjustments and community feedback will be crucial to refining this approach. Critics argue the policy is a starting point, but it lays the groundwork for broader systemic change.
Quebec’s government continues to defend random traffic stops, highlighting the complexity of balancing safety and trust. Dagher’s reliance on EMBA principles ensures a focus on measurable actions and emotional intelligence in the service police ville.
As the ville Montréal moves forward, readers are encouraged to follow the SPVM’s progress in rebuilding trust through transparency and accountability. This travail is just the beginning of a more equitable future.