Union to challenge Montreal police decision to fire 7 officers, says dismissals raise legal questions

The union that represents Montreal police officers will contest the firing of seven of its members over misconduct. Police Brotherhood President Yves Francais says they were not given a chance to speak out and share their version of what happened. L'employeur n'avait qu'à convoquer un comité de discipline, faire part de sa preuve. The employer could have called a disciplinary committee shared its evidence, he says. Seven police officers were fired. The officers are from Station 39 in Montréal-Nord and 21 downtown, all facing allegations of discriminatory and racist behaviour or derogatory acts. Following an internal investigation, the police chief revoked their police clearance. Feth Zdagar says the decision is based on the Quebec Police Act, which requires good moral character. When you take it away, that means you're not a police officer anymore in the SPVM. So that's why we fired them. The Brotherhood says the article has never been used before and raises questions about the officers' fundamental rights. It comes out of nowhere, adds Francais. The union might have a point, says this professor. Before firing an employee, Before firing someone, they have to have the chance to express themselves, he says. If I was living in Montreal now and if I was not white, I would kind of be very angry right now. This criminology professor says the Brotherhood's position signals a resistance to a change. Even if we see that, okay, when we are facing such serious... Case, allegations, even there, there will be resistance and saying, OK, no, but we cannot fire them. Montreal's police chief says even if the officers manage to be reinstated, disciplinary measures would be immediately imposed to keep them off the streets. The Brotherhood says it doesn't understand why the SPVM didn't go that route first.