Montreal police officers called out for wearing religious symbol on the job | 24CA News

Montreal police have requested their officers to cease sporting non secular symbols whereas on the job, in accordance with info obtained by Radio-Canada. 

Many officers had been seen sporting crests paying homage to the Catholic patron saint of legislation enforcement whereas monitoring protests associated to the COP15 worldwide discussion board. Photos of the badges with “Saint Michael Protect Us” written on them have been circulating on social media. 

However, the legislation on secularism of the state, additionally known as Bill 21, adopted in June 2019, prohibits the sporting of spiritual symbols by representatives of the state able of authority.

“After analysis, it was agreed that the crest of Saint Michael worn by SPVM (Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal) police officers on their uniform is a religious sign within the meaning of the law,” the memo despatched out to officers stated. 

“Consequently, we ask you now to kindly remove from your uniforms any crest symbolizing or referring to the Archangel Saint Michael, in order to comply with the law.”

Montreal’s police union stated it agrees with the power’s request.

The Quebec police code of ethics stipulates {that a} police officer should carry out their duties with “disinterestedness and impartiality.” This means avoiding putting themselves in a state of affairs the place they might be in battle of curiosity or more likely to compromise their impartiality or judgment.

The SPVM informed Radio-Canada {that a} full overhaul of the process for maintaining and sustaining cops has been underway for a number of months. However, it didn’t disclose when the evaluate will end.

“Management will issue a statement in this regard once the committee has completed its work and presented its recommendations,” stated an SPVM spokesperson.

Last 12 months, SPVM officers had been noticed sporting one other controversial image, the “Thin Blue Line,” criticized for its affiliation with far-right teams. This image has additionally been used to oppose the Black Lives Matter motion.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante has stated she was uncomfortable with officers sporting the image.