Montreal police (SPVM) Chief Fady Dagher is being summoned to City Hall by opposition party Projet Montréal to answer to the rampant allegations of abuses of power by officers within the force. The party tabled the urgent motion for a plenary committee meeting on Monday morning, stating that Montreal City Hall has a “responsibility to exercise oversight and ensure accountability.” It demanded that Dagher appear before the city councillors within the next seven days. “We have serious questions to put to Mr. Dagher regarding the organizational culture, internal oversight mechanisms and the organization’s ability to prevent and address behaviour that runs counter to our city’s values,” said Ericka Alneus, leader of the official opposition. ”We cannot turn a blind eye or simply wait for time to pass: the trust between the public and the police is at stake.” This comes after revelations surfaced that two SPVM officers from Station 21, which comprises a large section of downtown Montreal, were suspended amid an internal investigation into alleged abuses of power. One of the officers allegedly deliberately urinated on a homeless person in the middle of the street, while the second allegedly mocked a suspect who was placed in a “humiliating position” during an arrest. READ MORE: “Regardless of our postcode, or even if we have no address at all, every person has the right to be treated with dignity and respect by those responsible for protecting us,” said Alneus. “Summoning the head of the SPVM to appear before the city council within the next seven days is a legitimate democratic exercise. We are not asking for any compromise of ongoing legal or disciplinary proceedings. We are demanding transparency.” Mayor doesn’t want to undermine inquiry In response to the call by Projet Montréal, Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada held a news conference to say her party will debate the motion and make some amendments in order to protect the public inquiry process. “I want to make sure we don’t do anything that could undermine the public inquiry. I want to make sure that if there’s anyone who did what it’s alleged to have happened, that there are criminal accusations. And for that, you need to protect the way that the inquiry is going to be made,” she said. “I’m not happy about that, of course. Something like that comes and shadows everything going well with the SPVM.” The allegations at Station 21 follow the disbandment of a 16-member night patrol unit at Station 39 in Montreal North, which was accused of severe misconduct, including racially profiling residents and cutting or ripping out the hair or dreadlocks of people to keep as “trophies.” As a result, at least four officers were suspended, and the rest were dispersed to other stations. Martinez Ferrada also cited the Station 39 case in reference to these latest accusations. “We have to respect the process and bring to justice anyone who doesn’t respect the dignity of human beings.” READ MORE: Evidence gathered during Montreal police’s initial investigation into the situation at Station 39 was submitted to the Crown Prosecutor’s Office (DPCP) for analysis. Anyone wishing to report discriminatory behaviour by a member of the Montreal police force is encouraged to contact 514-280-0200. - With files from CTV News Montreal’s Amy Luft
