In 2009, all across the territory, the some 7200 members of the SPVM worked diligently, motivated, as always, by the desire to do more to uphold the safety and wellbeing of Montrealers.

This major portfolio presents a few of the less well known highlights about our organization. To learn more about the prevention programs set up by the police service and the changing portrait of crime, please read the news release and the Annual Report.

In the four regions of the island of Montréal, we logged 127,353 hours of foot patrol, 23,806 hours of bicycle patrol, and 5,375 hours of patrol in the metro. A general reduction in crime and other infractions of the Criminal Code was also recorded in our territory in 2009.

In addition to these achievements, we strengthened our international presence by increasing the number of officers taking part in foreign missions and participating in the Police Platform for Urban Development (Safer Cities) as an expert on neighbourhood policing and urban security.

Visibility

The Éclipse squad continued to support all units of the Service and made significant progress on the issue of street gangs (702 arrests for various reasons, 56 charges laid, 9 firearms and 78 bladed weapons seized).

A new service was added in 2009 to support the PDQs in crowd control operations: the Brigade urbaine or urban brigade. Last year, 778 crowd control operations were carried out, including:

• 668 organized activities
• 116 demonstrations

• 14 commercial operations

Dialogue

A new function was created in nine sensitive sectors in the aftermath of the events in Montréal-Nord. The new civilian dialogue counsellors work directly with the police stations and are mandated to:

• Facilitate the work of the police officers
• Improve dialogue between the police and the public
• Improve the impact of current activities
• Read and reflect the social and quality of life issues specific to each neighbourhood

At the same time, the SPVM teamed up with partners to find fair, lasting solutions to the problems of specific groups that disrupt the public order or commit crimes because of their state of health or social condition, to help them stop breaking the law. To this end, the police service took part in programs for homeless people and people struggling with mental problems.

Technological progress

Our organization also advances by adopting new technological tools. In 2009, we made several new additions:

M-IRIS (Montréal - Inscription et Recherche de l'Information sur la Sécurité or security information registration and search)

• Replaces 35 information systems
• Automates the flow of police information

Geolocation of patrol vehicles

• Always knows where our officers are to locate them when they cannot provide their exact position in emergency situations
• From mobile work stations in the vehicles (40 in 2009)

Licence plate recognition system

• In Québec, 2% of offenders (unregistered vehicle, not authorized to drive, licence that is unpaid, suspended or  under penalty) are involved in accidents
• The system is the only way to easily find these offenders and prevent accidents

Technology and client service

• We received 41,000 requests for legal background checks in 2009
• We improved our methods to provide a better response to the 10,000 requests for copies of incident reports

Support and training

The SPVM provides ongoing support for our members, training them and providing the tools they need to fulfil their role by constantly adapting to the environment.

Officer assistance program

• "Mon équipe me tient à cœur" program: support from the team for members in difficulty
• A new coaching program for police officers serving in foreign missions, to help them prepare and to smooth their return, along with support services for the officers' families

Workplace health and safety

• Two award-winning prevention programs - "Gestures and signals" and "Suspect control and command" - were developed to reduce the risk of injury

Training to keep our members up to date with the best practices:

• Role of media spokespeople
• Realities of dynamic entry
• Interrogation and interview techniques (including synergology)
• Expandable baton
• Intervention with high-risk vehicles
• Foot pursuit

By the end of 2009, 92% of the staff of all categories had taken the course titled "Intervention in a changing society."

Applied ethics: we developed reflection sheets and videos on various topics, to help officers recognize ethical issues and potential negative consequences.

Research

The research team supports our members by keeping them informed about police best practices and analysing issues specific to our territory. Here are some of the team's main achievements in 2009:

• Evaluation of programs and operational results
• Proposals for best practices
• Mobile homelessness referral and intervention team (EMRII)
• Hiring civilian dialogue counsellors   
• Criminal dynamics of street gangs
• Global approach to security

• Profile of 33 neighbourhood stations

To find out more

SPVM 2009 Annual Report

Alternate information

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