'Waste of time': Man speaks out after commission dismisses profiling complaint against Repentigny police
A human rights group is calling on Quebec to review how complaints against police are handled, focusing on one force in particular: the Service de police de la Ville de Repentigny (SPVR).
Fo Niemi, head of the Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR), claimed complaints against Repentigny police brought forward to the police ethics commissionner are too-often thrown out.
"Over the last 10 years, there hasn't been one single decision or tribunal on racial profiling in Repentigny despite all these complaints," Niemi said at a press conference Sunday.
He was joined by teacher Francois Ducas, a Black man who says he was unjustly stopped and questioned by SPVR officers five years ago.
Ducas felt he had been racially profiled because he was driving a luxury car -- and it wasn't the first time he'd been stopped.
But after filing a complaint, Ducas said he could tell right away that mediator was in favour of police.
The mediator allegedly told Ducas that nothing would have happened if he had just obeyed police orders.
"All I wanted [...] was to make myself heard and get justice," he recounted.
"I could see for myself that it was a waste of time."
Niemi pointed out that while the police ethics commissioner regularly dismisses racial profiling complaints, other tribunals rule in favour.
In Ducas' case, Quebec's human rights tribunal awarded him $8,000.
"We have to ask the question as to, is the police ethics system working when it comes to Repentigny police," Niemi said.
In a statement, Quebec's Public Security Ministry said that when it comes to the police ethics commissioner, the complaint process is independent and rigorous.
While the City of Repentigny wouldn't comment specifically on CRARR's statements, a spokesperson told CTV news that for more than two years, Repentigny has worked to modernize its police force to serve all citizens.
But Niemi says it's not enough.
"We need to see more training for police ethics people. Sometimes you get to the tribunal, you can see that the police ethics committee judges just don't understand racial profiling."
Ducas says the solution is abolishing article 636 of Quebec's highway safety code, which allows police to stop drivers randomly.
"The only thing that can put an end to our suffering is the abolishment of that law."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Flights divert around western Iran as one report claims explosions heard near Isfahan
Commercial flights began diverting their routes early Friday morning over western Iran without explanation as one semiofficial news agency in the Islamic Republic claimed there had been 'explosions' heard over the city of Isfahan.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.