Even if the images of the muscular arrest filmed in the Jean-Talon metro station last April are “disturbing”, the use of force by two inspectors from the Société de transport de Montréal that day was justified. , concludes an independent expert.
The lawyer specializing in police ethics Marco Gaggino thus came to conclusions similar to those of a first internal investigation carried out by the STM in the days following this intervention On April 17, the images of a muscular arrest carried out by two agents from the STM to a black woman who had gone through the turnstiles of the metro without paying quickly went around the web. The scene, captured by a citizen’s cell phone, had also been described as “disturbing” by the mayoress of Montreal, Valérie Plante.
In a voluminous report made public Tuesday, Mr. Gaggino also recognizes that these images, which show the inspectors immobilize the ground and hit the subway user, who screams and struggles, have something to “disturb, even shock”. “Certainly, this scene raises questions about the behavior of these inspectors,” he adds.
At the end of his analysis, the expert noted, however, that the STM agents in their intervention complied with the rules that apply in terms of the gradual use of force. He also rules out that they carried out “racial profiling” during this intervention.
In his report, the specialist lawyer recalls in particular that the person arrested that day by STM agents fled when they wanted to put her under arrest for refusing to identify himself. She then refused to put her hands behind her back and stop resisting, before repeatedly biting an inspector, who had to be hospitalized for his injuries.
“To this end, after having considered all the circumstances, I conclude that the inspectors involved in the event were justified in using force and that this force was reasonable”, thus decides the expert.
Four recommendations
However, the expert made four recommendations to the STM at the end of his report. Thus, the expert suggests that the transport company “review the coverage of its internal cameras in the metro to ensure that there are no blind spots in places where inspectors are likely to intervene. “. Such a situation could make it possible to avoid having to rely on images filmed by citizens and which generally only show part of the interventions of the agents, underlines the report.
The expert also recommends that the STM provide body cameras to its inspectors, who in recent months have begun to transform their status into that of special constables. The STM should finally review “the process for processing and routing requests for external support” and offer theoretical and practical training on foot pursuit to its inspectors.
“This training should include guidelines allowing the inspector to assess whether a foot pursuit is justified, safe and proportional to the circumstances”, we can read.
In a press release, the STM said on Tuesday that it takes note of these recommendations, which it will analyze in order to improve its practices.
“The STM’s inspectors and special constables carry out a complex profession and it is essential to maintain the bond of trust with customers, the Montreal population and stakeholders,” said the Chairman of the STM’s Board of Directors, Philippe Schnobb.