The SPVM has suspended a Montreal police officer over an allegation that the officer urinated on a person experiencing homelessness while on duty, according to information confirmed by the police service.
The alleged incident occurred in the area served by Station 21, a downtown district where officers regularly respond to calls involving people experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable residents.
The officer has been removed from regular duties while the matter is reviewed.
No criminal charge has been announced, and the allegation has not been tested in court.
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What the SPVM is investigating
The allegation was brought forward after other patrol officers reportedly raised concerns about the conduct they had witnessed.
The SPVM has opened an internal review to establish what happened and determine whether disciplinary or other action is warranted.
The service is also examining a separate allegation involving another officer from the same station.
That officer is accused of posing for photographs that mocked a person placed in a humiliating position during a police intervention.
Both officers have been suspended while the allegations are examined.
The suspensions are administrative measures and do not establish that either officer committed misconduct.
The SPVM has not publicly identified either officer or disclosed the identity of the person involved in the first allegation.
Why the case matters in Montreal
The allegations come as Montreal police continue to work with health and social-service partners on responses to homelessness.
The SPVM operates a mobile team that pairs police officers with a health and social-services worker to assist people who face repeated police contact and complex vulnerabilities.
That work depends heavily on trust.
An allegation that an officer humiliated or mistreated a person in a vulnerable position can affect how people experiencing homelessness view police, including whether they seek help during an emergency or cooperate with investigations.
The issue is also separate from the broader question of how police respond to homelessness.
Individual allegations must be assessed through evidence, while the service’s policies and training determine how officers are expected to interact with members of the public.
Possible disciplinary and legal steps
An internal investigation can lead to a range of outcomes, including no disciplinary finding, corrective measures, a formal disciplinary penalty or referral to another authority.
Under Quebec’s policing oversight system, a person who was involved in or directly witnessed conduct by a police officer may also file a complaint with the Commissaire à la déontologie policière.
The process examines whether an officer may have breached the province’s police ethics code.
A complaint may be referred to another body if the facts suggest a possible criminal offence, discrimination issue or other matter outside the police service’s internal disciplinary process.
The SPVM says complaints involving its officers can be submitted directly to the service.
Depending on the nature of the allegations, a file may also be sent to internal affairs, the police ethics commissioner, the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes or prosecutors.
What happens next
The immediate next step is the completion of the SPVM’s review of both allegations.
Investigators will be expected to determine the circumstances, identify any available witnesses or recordings and assess whether the conduct breached police rules or provincial standards.
The suspended officers remain entitled to procedural protections while the investigations continue.
Further details may become public if disciplinary proceedings are launched, a complaint is filed with an oversight body or criminal allegations are laid.
For now, the central facts remain allegations: one officer is accused of urinating on a person experiencing homelessness, while another is accused of participating in humiliating photographs.
Neither allegation has resulted in a public criminal charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the SPVM officer suspended?
The officer was suspended while the SPVM investigates an allegation that the officer urinated on a person experiencing homelessness during working hours.
Has the officer been criminally charged?
No criminal charge has been announced in connection with the allegation.
Was another Montreal officer suspended?
Yes. A second officer from the same station was suspended over a separate allegation involving photographs that allegedly mocked a person in a humiliating position.
Does a suspension prove misconduct occurred?
No. A suspension during an investigation is an administrative measure and does not establish that the allegation has been proven.
How can someone complain about police conduct in Quebec?
A complaint can be made directly to the SPVM or to Quebec’s Commissaire à la déontologie policière, depending on the circumstances.
Fact-Checked: Key facts were checked against SPVM information on complaints and homelessness-response procedures, as well as Quebec’s official police ethics oversight guidance.
Disclaimer: The allegations described in this article have not been proven in court, and the officers are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise.