Worried about the increase in armed violence in the streets, Montrealers want a police chief who is first and foremost a good communicator, and who is committed to being transparent and accountable, according to consultations with the population and the police.
Posted at 12:24 p.m.
Before choosing the next director of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), the administration of Mayor Valérie Plante wanted to know the opinion of citizens, police officers and community organizations about the profile and skills that he should own.
The question was put to 767 Montrealers, 32 police officers and 38 representatives of community and Aboriginal organizations, during a consultation process led by the Institut du nouveau monde (INM) and the firm BIP Research.
The two qualities and skills that we would like the future leader to have that top the list are “to have good communication skills (98% consider this aspect important, including 76% very important) and to show a strong commitment to the transparency and accountability of the service (97% consider this aspect important, including 72% very important)”, indicates the research report released Wednesday on the website of the City of Montreal.
As far as the style of leadership is concerned, we are mainly looking for a “leader” (who leads by example). “In second position, the Directive styles (by setting up procedures) and Democratic (by encouraging the participation of all) come tied,” note the authors of the report.
The challenge of gun violence
As for the challenges awaiting the future head of the SPVM, that of the fight against armed violence is identified as a priority, “nearly a third of Montrealers having ranked it as” the greatest challenge “among the 10 measured”, according to the consultation .
Montrealers also believe that the future leader will have to improve the population’s trust in the SPVM (40% ranked it among the three priority challenges, including 15% as “the biggest challenge”).
The other priority challenges identified during the consultation are: establishing within the SPVM a culture of valuing diversity and inclusion, consolidating actions and measures to combat racial and social profiling, updating police intervention practices with vulnerable people and in cases of spousal or intra-family violence, and optimize and maximize police visibility in the streets in order to promote a feeling of safety. Improving the road safety record is by far the least worrisome challenge according to Montrealers, while only 8% ranked it among the three priority challenges.
A detailed presentation of the results of the consultation will take place on Tuesday, October 4 at a public meeting of the Commission de la sécurité publique de la Ville de Montréal. The presentation will be followed by a question and comment period from the public and the commissioners.
The application process will begin thereafter, and the job posting should last at least seven to ten days. Subsequently, the applications received will be examined and the selected candidates will be interviewed.
If all goes well, the name of the new head of the SPVM will be known before Christmas, but the appointment will be ratified by the City of Montreal and by the Council of Ministers after the holidays.
With Daniel Renaud