The Daily UbuntuThread 03 · Racialized but Human · September 25, 2026
What we braid, what we tear away
In Montréal-Nord, allegations of racist acts at Station 39, and colleagues who refused to stay silent.
1 · The scene
Seven in the morning, in Montréal-Nord. A father braids his son's locks before school, strand by strand, without hurrying.
"Every braid is someone who came before you," he tells him. The boy doesn't understand it all yet. He only knows that he walks out with his head held high.
Original vignette
2 · The documented case
Neighbourhood Station 39
On June 12, 2026, the SPVM suspended two officers and removed an entire team from Neighbourhood Station 39 in Montréal-Nord: sixteen officers in all. They are the subject of allegations of discriminatory and racist behaviour toward Black and Arab people. According to the media, dreadlocks were allegedly cut off and kept as trophies. Files have been sent to the Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions. The facts remain to be proven in court.
One thing is already established: the case did not come from outside. In March 2026, it was SPVM employees who reported these behaviours. Someone in uniform refused to let silence be part of the "us."
3 · The voice
“I want to get to the root of the problem.”
4 · The question
When you see an injustice in your own team, what helps you speak up, and what holds you back?
Sources
- SPVM, news release "Comportements et gestes répréhensibles," June 12, 2026 (in French). spvm.qc.ca
- Radio-Canada, "SPVM : 16 policiers visés par une enquête pour des gestes haineux et racistes," June 2026 (in French). ici.radio-canada.ca
- 98.5 FM, interview with Fady Dagher, June 15, 2026 (in French). www.985fm.ca
- Narcity, summary of the Station 39 case, 2026 (in French). www.narcity.com
- Le Devoir, police ethics commissioner's investigation, 2026 (in French). www.ledevoir.com
Every figure on this page links to a verifiable public source.
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