Five Quebec police officers—three provincial and two Montreal—have been suspended after a 2018 high-speed chase that seriously injured a woman in Montreal. The disciplinary tribunal ruled the pursuit violated safety protocols in a densely populated urban area.
Tribunal finds pursuit unjustified
The chase began when officers attempted to stop a driver with a suspended license. The suspect fled through downtown Montreal and the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighborhood before colliding with a woman shoveling snow outside her home on Sherbrooke Street.
The tribunal concluded the officers should not have continued the pursuit, citing risks to pedestrians, schools, parks, and bike paths in the area. The decision noted the chase involved multiple police vehicles.
Suspensions and training ordered
The officers received suspensions ranging from 30 to 42 days. Four were also ordered to complete additional training on police driving and pursuit policies.
The tribunal described the misconduct as "particularly serious" due to the number of vehicles involved and the high-risk environment. No further disciplinary action was specified in the ruling.
What happens next
The suspensions are now in effect, and the officers must complete the mandated training. The tribunal’s decision does not address potential civil liability or further investigations into the incident.
