Quebec aims to end police ‘clown pants’ protest
PUBLIC SECURITY MINISTER’S BILL WOULD SUBJECT OFFICERS TO FINES FOR FAILING TO WEAR REGULATION UNIFORMS
The bill tabled Thursday in Quebec’s National Assembly carried the wordy title, “An Act to make wearing of the uniform by police officers and special constables mandatory in the performance of their duties.”
It could just as easily have been shortened to, “An Act requiring police officers to respect the law.”
For the past three years, police officers in Montreal have flouted provincial regulations obliging them to wear regulation uniforms, opting instead for camouflage pants and bright red union baseball caps. It was part of a lost and now largely forgotten battle against reforms to their pension plan.
Their pressure tactics have been copied, spreading to other towns — in Châteauguay, officers started dressing like sheriffs in a low-budget western — and into the province’s courthouses, where constables are unhappy with labour negotiations.
Some criminal cases have been delayed as judges, sticklers for decorum who have been known to eject people for chewing gum, refused to sit while the special constable ensuring courtroom security was wearing bright pink camouflage.
The sight of police officers directing traffic in their protest pants has made Montreal something of a laughingstock among visitors. Mayor Denis Coderre, tired of having to plead with police at least to wear their uniforms when serving at highprofile funerals, has taken to calling their improvised uniforms “clown pants.”
Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux said Thursday that he tried to reason with police unions, but his patience finally ran out.
Police officers “represent authority in society. They have enforcement powers. That’s something important,” Coiteux told a news conference.
“So to maintain the bond of trust and the respect that is associated with such an important profession, the uniform is absolutely fundamental. You can sense a feeling of exasperation among the public on this, and that feeds a feeling of nonconfidence toward our institutions, toward our police services.”
He noted that some people have had tickets cancelled because they were able to argue they did not realize they were dealing with a police officer.
The bill specifies that offenders will be subject to fines ranging from $500 to $3,000 per day that the full uniform is not worn.
For any union official who incites members to break the law, fines will be doubled.
Speaking to Montreal radio station 98.5 FM, Yves Francoeur, president of the Montreal Police Brotherhood, said that if the law is adopted the union will challenge it before the courts.
And in the same interview, he signalled that the union has other cards up its sleeve to destabilize the Liberal government of Philippe Couillard.
Francoeur said he is aware of a 2012 investigation for fraud and breach of trust targeting two Liberal MNAs, one of whom is still sitting in the legislature.
He said the investigation involved a real estate firm with Mafia ties that was solicited to contribute to the Liberals.
He alleged that the reason no charges were filed was because the suspects were Liberal politicians. He refused to identify the MNAs or say whether they held cabinet posts.
It is understandable why Francoeur would be angry over the bill tabled Thursday. As far back as 2003, unconventional trousers have been a favoured protest tactic for the police, who do not have the right to strike.
The city twice sought rulings from Quebec’s Essential Services Council that the camouflage pants endangered public safety. It had presented evidence of officers responding to call who were mistaken for criminals because of their pants. And it argued that the pants conveyed an image of “combat and confrontation” that heightened tensions between police and minority groups.
Both times the council ruled in the union’s favour.
The proposed law would repeal existing regulations that clearly state police officers are required to wear their uniforms — including the “compulsory trousers” described in detail — while on duty.
Those regulations did not carry any fine for nonrespect, only the possibility of a suspension, and unions correctly calculated that no police force could afford mass suspensions.
Coiteux said he is hopeful the government will be able to get the bill passed before the legislature rises for the summer, and the circus on Montreal’s streets will come to an end.
HE SAID THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A REAL ESTATE FIRM WITH MAFIA TIES.