Faced with criticism from the Brotherhood of Police Officers of Montreal regarding the lack of staff, the SPVM claims to make a priority of “hiring new recruits, but also the retention of police officers already in its employ”.

“The health and safety of our police officers is paramount to us. We are always aiming for the best possible balance between these priorities and our responsibility to meet the needs of citizens, ”we read in an unsigned email from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal sent to the Journal on Friday, the day after the release. of the union.

Union worried

On Thursday, the president of the Brotherhood, Yves Francoeur, said he was worried about the impact of more frequent compulsory overtime on the health of its members.

“There are serious repercussions to being in extreme fatigue and having to make decisions in a few fractions of a second to protect their life or that of citizens”, he illustrated.

According to Mr. Francoeur, if compulsory overtime (TSO) was once “occasional”, it has become “systematic” due to the glaring lack of police officers.

He also pointed out that, since January, 34 police officers have resigned and that around 160 officers could opt to retire by the end of the year.

Pandemic effect

In its reply, the SPVM says it is working “actively” to hire new officers and keep its current police officers in its ranks. However, the effects of the pandemic on the staffing process are recognized.

“The SPVM takes the issue very seriously and remains proactive by adapting its police practices and its intervention and deployment strategies in order to minimize the impact on the health and safety of its troops,” we insist.

"We are constantly rethinking our strategies in order to align staffing needs, particularly with the return of the many outdoor activities that contribute to the quality of life of the population of the island of Montreal and which make the reputation of The city. »

– With Valerie Gonthier