Police officers meet Montrealers at metro stations, discuss their concerns over coffee
Posted May 17, 2023 11:13 am.
Last Updated May 17, 2023 6:41 pm.
Montrealers had the chance to have a coffee with a police officer at certain metro stations Wednesday.
The “coffee with a police officer” initiative by the SPVM, in collaboration with the STM, was aimed at creating a more direct link between police and citizens.
“‘Coffee with a police officer’ is an additional opportunity to meet several people who would not dare approach a police officer in the street or call their neighbourhood police station to ask their questions,” the SPVM said in a statement.
“This direct contact makes it possible to detect problems and find solutions.”
Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher was at Berri-UQAM metro.
“I want the city to see who is the human being behind the uniform. To be able to connect together. And the same time my cops, to be able to see who’s the human behind the citizen that they are serving,” said Dagher.
The SPVM believes it’s a way to make police officers more approachable – and for people to share their thoughts and concerns more easily.
“We have a mistrust between the police and the community, part of the community. And I want to make sure that we get closer,” added Dagher. “I’m going to give you an example. With the black community, there is some fear about the cops. So one of my duties is to get closer to them.”
Officers were stationed at 16 metro stations across the city from the 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The SPVM added that this is not the only chance to speak to a police officer. When not on emergency calls, officers patrolling the streets on foot can be approached.
“Yes, for sure, if you stop police, you can always ask question. We are there for that,” said Émilie Toubeix, an agent adviser for prevention and urban security with the SPVM.
“When the cop is walking now with a new contract that we signed in Montreal. We’re going to have over, I think, 70 to 80 police officers on the beat, walking without 911 calls. So for sure, the citizen who’s going to be crossing a cop since he’s not on a 911 call, he’s going to be available to talk. This job is to talk. His job is to build the bridges between the community and the police,” said Dagher.
