The union which represents police officers in the city of Montreal has found another reason to be upset.
Not only are members worried about recently-hired officers at risk of losing their jobs later this summer, now the Brotherhood claims a station commander in St. Laurent has told officers to hand out more tickets... or else.
"We received calls from officers at the station saying they were met by commanders and they were told to make more tickets even if traffic was going very well," said Yves Francoeur.
The union chief says the rank and file were threatened with disciplinary measures.
Police Commander, Mayor refused to talk
Eric La Penna, the commander of Station 7 in St. Laurent, would not talk to CTV although he has been quoted elsewhere as saying his comments about quotas were misunderstood.
Likewise Mayor Gerald Tremblay refused to discuss the issue.
Francoeur says the city is strapped for cash, and using police officers to boost revenue.
"[La Penna] is just doing what the head of the police department is expecting of him," said Francoeur.
Many members of the public agree with that theory.
Drivers say they're getting nuisance tickets
Gordon Boyce said he has been ticketed a dozen times in the past year for what he calls minor infractions.
"I got a ticket for doing 55 in a 50," said Boyce. "I've even had one for not turning on my signal, my blinker. They told me it was a dangerous manoeuvre."
Every ticket has come with a fine of about $100, each of which Boyce has paid.
Ike Kutsuzyan said he has been fined three times, including in the past week.
"We had just pulled out of a parking spot, I was about to put on my seat belt," said Kutsuzyan. "There was a cop standing on the other corner, and she gave me a ticket. but I was putting my seat belt on."
On the whole, residents like Sandi Grunfeld say they want officers to concentrate on something besides driving infractions, "like going after the drug guys and the people who kidnap little kids here and all that."
