Montrealers have less confidence in their police service than the rest of Quebecers, reveals a Léger survey conducted last spring on behalf of the Ministry of Public Security.
20% of Montreal respondents said they had little or no confidence in their police service, compared to 14% for the rest of Quebec. The survey was conducted among 10,000 people in the province, both by telephone and on the web. This is the first police survey of such large scale in Quebec, according to the Ministry of Public Security.
In Montreal, almost one in three respondents disagreed that “the police service is effective in preventing crime.”
In Quebec, however, 85% of respondents say they have confidence and are satisfied with their police service.
Former Quebec City Police Chief Robert Pigeon, who was present at the press conference, described the survey as “rigorous” and “courageous.” “The goal is to obtain a comparative measure for the future,” he said at a press conference on Wednesday.
39% of people surveyed had been in contact with the police over the last two years.
Respond to social issues
Across Quebec, 28% of respondents did not agree that their police service “deployed sufficient effort to adequately respond to issues related to certain social problems.” The survey gives examples of homelessness and mental health. This figure rises to 49% for the island of Montreal.
“By surveying all of Quebec, we will have great disparities […] the daily reality in Montreal is unique,” said Marc Croteau, Deputy Minister of Public Security, at a press conference. “If we compare it to any other metropolis, we will have similar results,” he added.
Montreal stands out in several categories of the study. Montrealers said they were less safe than the rest of Quebecers, and believe that the police treat citizens less fairly, compared to all respondents.
Cybercrime and communications stand out as areas for improvement for police services. Nearly a third of those surveyed believed that the police did not intervene effectively to prevent cybercrime.
When it comes to communications, a similar picture emerges: more than one in two Quebecers do not think they are sufficiently informed about police operations and achievements to combat crime.
Survey well received
The Montreal City Police Department indicated by email to La Presse that it considers itself satisfied with the survey, given the satisfaction rate with the police service. They also plan to attach importance to their communications with citizens.
For the Brotherhood of Police Officers of Montreal (FPPM), the report is positive. The president, Yves Francoeur, welcomes the fact that 78% of Montrealers trust the SPVM. He mentions the “Montreal context”, which includes specific issues, such as homelessness. “Montreal remains a safe city, we must act upstream, before the situation deteriorates further,” he adds, in an email exchange.