Chief’s remarks come amid scrutiny of misconduct at Montréal‑Nord station
Montreal’s police chief has publicly acknowledged that he has been on both sides of racial profiling — as a victim and as someone who practised it — remarks that come as the force faces questions about racism and misconduct at a local station.
In an interview, Chief Fady Dagher said he racially profiled people while serving on the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal’s anti‑gang squad in the 1990s. He added that a conversation with a street‑gang member changed his approach.
“He says he had a conversation with a street‑gang member that opened his eyes and led him to change his approach.”
Dagher also said he was on the receiving end of racial profiling following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, including while travelling through airports in Canada and abroad. Born in the Ivory Coast to parents of Lebanese origin, Dagher is the first racialized person to lead the Montreal police.
Recent events at Montréal‑Nord station
The chief’s comments were made one day after a tense public meeting where residents questioned police leadership about a racism and misconduct scandal centred on the Montréal‑Nord station. The allegations prompted the force to dismantle a 16‑member patrol unit in June, and three officers from that unit were suspended.
Montreal police say the suspensions relate to two separate incidents involving two complainants. Police have not released further details about the nature of those complaints in the material provided.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Patrol unit size | 16 members |
| Officers suspended | 3 officers |
| Number of complainants cited | 2 complainants |
| Month unit dismantled | June |
Questions of accountability and trust
The chief’s admission — that he once racially profiled while on duty — is likely to intensify calls from community groups and elected officials for independent oversight. The issue of whether internal disciplinary measures are sufficient has been a persistent theme in Montreal’s conversations about policing, especially after high‑profile controversies.
Dagher’s dual perspective — as someone who says he was profiled internationally after 9/11 and as an officer who later reflected on his own actions — may add nuance to discussions about training, culture and reform within the force. But it also raises hard questions about how disciplinary decisions and cultural change are pursued in a large municipal police service.
Local residents at the Montréal‑Nord meeting pressed the police chief for answers, and the dismantling of the patrol unit has already been a concrete step taken by the service. Still, details remain limited in the public record: police note only that the suspensions stem from two separate incidents and two complainants.
- Immediate developments: Three officers suspended; 16‑member unit dismantled in June.
- Chief’s background: Born in the Ivory Coast of Lebanese parentage; first racialized leader of the city police.
- Public concern: Residents questioned police conduct at a recent public meeting in Montréal‑Nord.
What Montrealers should watch for next
Residents and observers will be looking for several things in the weeks ahead: whether an independent probe or outside review is launched; what details, if any, the police release about the specific allegations and suspensions; and whether the force outlines changes to training, oversight or community engagement to rebuild trust.
As the story develops, facts released by the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal and any findings from formal investigations will be critical to understanding the scope of the problem and the steps the city chooses to take. For now, the chief’s candid comments have sharpened a debate that touches directly on everyday relationships between police and the diverse communities they serve.
