Despite her opposition, Valérie Plante does not intend to intervene with the Montreal police to put an end to the wearing of a controversial symbol, the “Thin Blue Line”, on the uniform of certain patrol officers. The SPVM has not yet ruled, but says it wants to “make a thoughtful, ethical and objective decision”.
Posted at 2:53 p.m.
“We’re going to let the SPVM come to its own conclusions,” said Ms.me Plant Monday, during a meeting of the municipal council. She affirms that “Montrealers send a very strong message” to the police force “that this type of symbol is absolutely not acceptable”.
In recent days, images of Montreal police officers wearing crests adorned with a maple leaf crossed out with a thin blue line (the “Thin Blue Line”) have emerged on social networks. This symbol of support for law enforcement is prohibited by some Canadian police forces, including the RCMP and the Ontario police. He is criticized by left-wing activists, in particular.
Opposition leader Aref Salem said the patch is controversial “because of its association with far-right groups and its use in opposition to the movement. Black Lives Matter “. “The outcry that arose from this symbol demonstrates it well: a police officer cannot alter his uniform, except in exceptional cases. As police officers still wear it, is the Thin Blue Line considered an exception? The question arises, “raised the elected official, suggesting that Valérie Plante “tolerate this symbol”.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
The Mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante
“The processes are very important”, further justified the mayor on her refusal to intervene. “This discomfort, I think we all share with this symbol, but it’s important for me to respect the SPVM process, which is not only looking at this symbol, but is doing a complete review of the wearing of the uniform,” she recalled.
His administration says it wants a “comprehensive understanding” of what can be worn “or not” by the police. Mme Plante also repeated that the symbol “divides”, whereas the police uniform “should on the contrary unite” the population. “Everyone has to feel safe in this uniform. »
A “bad message”
Mr. Salem, deplores the “bad message” that the symbol can send to the population, “in particular to cultural and marginalized communities”. “It is inconceivable that the SPVM accepts that its agents still wear it,” he judged, arguing that this symbol has been under review since this fall. “Six long months to study a symbol is a very long time. »
At the SPVM, the communication officer, Caroline Labelle, indicated on Monday that the “complete review process of the dress and maintenance procedure, which governs the standards applicable to the physical appearance and dress of employees, is currently underway”.
“This exercise includes the possible positioning of the Service regarding the wearing of any insignia, an issue that our ethics committee is looking into. The process is continuing and progressing. The SPVM wants to make sure it makes a thoughtful, ethical and objective decision that will benefit the entire police community,” she added.
However, no “precise date for the end of the work of the ethics committee” is yet known.