Minority groups have long accused the Montreal Police force of racial profiling.

A report obtained by a French daily newspaper states that the impression is accurate.

However even though the police department had ordered one of its staff criminologists to conduct the study, the department has rejected the analysis, claiming it has methodological problems.

Blacks stopped 30% of time; are 7% of population

The document revealed that 30 per cent of all routine police checks were conducted on blacks, even though they only make up seven per cent of the population.

The study's numbers appear even more damning when narrowed down to people between the ages of 10 and 34.

In that age group in Montreal North, in 2006-2007, 38 per cent of all blacks were subjected to police checks, compared to just 5.6 per cent of white youth.

The study's author says that even taking population differences into account, this showed an excessive number of black males were being targeted by police, especially since two-thirds of black men questioned had not done anything to warrant being asked to present identification, and had no criminal history.

Montreal North residents humiliated by frequent checks

In Montreal North, most people did not seem surprised when CTV News asked them for their views on the study.

"It's not a new thing that happens," said one black youth.

"They do that to us a lot of times, including last week," said another.

A third man, a parent of two children, called the experience of undergoing a police check humiliating – adding that it is an almost routine experience for him when he works late.

A spokesman for the Quebec Human Rights Commission said he was stunned by what the study found, especially in the aftermath of public hearings during which police denied practicing racial profiling.

"They have a different way of treating blacks from whites and this is against the Charter of Rights," said Gaetan Cousineau.

Report does not indicate reasons

The report was prepared at the request of the Montreal police, in the aftermath of a violent riot in Montreal North, following the police shooting death of Fredy Villanueva, in 2008.

Despite commissioning the report, police now reject the data, even if it was compiled by its own staff.

"It indicates there was a greater proportion of individuals that were in contact with by police, but it doesn't say what were the reasons for this contact," states Eric La Penna of the Montreal Police.

Even so, police officials do admit that the study is an eye-opener – one which may force them to fine-tune their crime-fighting strategy.