A coalition of grassroots organizers supporting Montreal’s Black communities is requesting an “urgent meeting” with the head of the SPVM following allegations of racism within the Montreal police force.

The Regroupement des intervenants et intervenantes d’origine haïtienne (RIIOH) wants to sit down with SPVM Chief Fady Dagher to present recommendations “aimed at restoring trust.”

On Friday, Dagher announced two officers from Station 39 in Montreal North had been suspended following allegations of discriminatory and racist behaviour toward residents of the borough.

The two officers could face criminal charges and their case is being reviewed by the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions (DPCP).

Dagher specified that 14 other officers from the same station had been transferred or reassigned to duties that do not require any contact with the public.

Several media outlets have reported certain details, including that police officers allegedly cut the hair of racialized people to use it as “trophies.” Dagher stated at a press conference that this was “part of the allegations.”

On Monday, the RIIOH called the allegations “serious, outrageous, and unacceptable,” and said they raised “important systemic questions. “

“They confirm what citizens, families, young people, stakeholders and community organizations in Montreal North have been denouncing for years: the existence of discriminatory behaviours and practices that have contributed to unjustifiably penalizing a large number of residents, particularly those from the Black and Arab communities,” the coalition said.

“For too long, the testimonies of people claiming to have been victims of racial profiling, discrimination or differential treatment, and violence have been minimized, questioned, or ignored. Today, the information made public demonstrates that the concerns expressed by the community for many years deserved to be heard and taken seriously.”

An investigation by the SPVM is ongoing, Dagher indicated Friday.

Earlier Monday, the Quebec Liberal Party called for an investigation to be conducted independently by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ). “Allowing the SPVM to investigate its own members in a case of this nature would not meet the public’s expectations for transparency and independence,” according to the party.

–With files from La Presse Canadienne