Four Montreal police commanders are facing disciplinary action for their inaction during a protest at City Hall.
The commanders were supervising squads of police officers who were at City Hall during a protest against pension reform, and took no action to stop any of the municipal workers and supporters rampaging through City Hall.
Many officers were videotaped looking the other way as protesters slapped stickers on walls and running around the building.
Police spokesperson Ian Lafreniere said multiple actions were examined before handing down the punishments.
"What police officers should have been doing that day? Was there any action that they haven't done, that they should have been? This is the discipline," said Lafreniere.
He added that it is likely that many more police officers, further down the ranks, will be sanctioned for allowing the protest to continue.
"That part is not over. Yes, you've got four commanding officers at this moment, but this part is not over" said Lafreniere.
Lafreniere did not disclose the exact nature of the sanctions against the commanding officers, nor their names but said the results of the investigation will be made public in the weeks to come.
“They received a notice yesterday, what they receive is the note saying they are under discipline at this moment. They have a decision to take -- it's like when you get a ticket and you have to decide whether you're going to plead guilty or not,” said Lafreniere.
Protest led to firings, criminal charges
The move comes two months after hundreds of municipal workers ransacked Montreal City Hall while police stood by.
The August 18 council meeting was disrupted when firefighters and their supporters protested outside City Hall and then moved inside, hurling papers and water glasses, until councillors were forced to leave.
Fifty-seven municipal employees have been charged for unlawful assembly, mischief and assault for their alleged roles in the protest.
Six firefighters have been fired and at least 58 other employees, including the head of the firefighters union, have been suspended without pay for terms ranging from one week to six months.
Firefighters union chief Ronald Martin was suspended this week although he did not take part in the protest.
The firefighters' union is challenging the firings, suspensions, and the criminal charges.
Municipal workers across Quebec are protesting against Bill 3, wide-ranging legislation that would reform pension plans and their funding.
Employees say it is not fair to ask them to make up shortfalls in underfunded plans, and then be asked to contribute half of the cost of their future retirement.
