The Brotherhood of Montreal Police Officers is concerned about the possibility of the SPVM losing the police service contract for the Montreal-Trudeau airport – and the consequences that could result.
In a letter addressed to Mayor Valérie Plante, the president of the Fraternité, Yves Francoeur, argued that airports were a privileged target “in matters of terrorism”. In the event of a case of terrorism, he argues, “every minute counts [et] it is imperative to ensure optimal response time.”
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Montreal-Trudeau Airport
This is particularly why the Montreal City Police Service (SPVM) should retain the reins of security, he argues: “Only effective communications can allow rapid intervention and contain or neutralize a threat, ‘where the importance of operating on a single radio frequency, which would not be possible with another police force. »
Montreal Airport (ADM) has launched a call for tenders to evaluate offers from other police forces – the submission period will end on June 7. By turning to the mayor, the police union hopes to have her support for the renewal of the contract, “especially for [assurer] the safety of citizens.
“Expert expertise”
In his argument, the union president also highlights the “in-depth expertise” of the SPVM in terms of security in an airport environment with “specificities”. According to him, this would be the only police force capable of carrying out this mission at the airport, where some 22 million travelers pass through annually.
Over the years, the police unit assigned to security at Montréal-Trudeau “has implemented several tools and approaches.” However, these can only be effectively applied “as part of an integrated vision and a global public security service on the island of Montreal”.
“In a case like this, the safety of travelers and Montreal citizens must take precedence over all other considerations,” says Mr. Francoeur, whose organization has more than 4,200 members.