This summer, the Urban Brigade will be heading out on its second season. Like last year, this team of officers and cadets will provide basic crowd control services, as well as a general presence across the entire territory of the island.

Why is the Urban Brigade back?

Year after year, Montréal plays host to dozens of festivals and gatherings all summer long. The SPVM is determined to offer the best possible service to Montrealers and event promoters during our big festive events. At the same time, the police service needs to maintain staff stability in the neighbourhood stations. 

The Brigade is a fundamental part of this new dynamic, and it also gives cadets and officers working during the summer festival season the opportunity to develop their crowd control expertise. We know that this is valuable and rewarding experience for both the cadets and the officers themselves.

A special training program that focuses on client service has been developed and given to the brigade members, to provide them with the work tools they need to respond to tourists, direct people in the underground city, work with crowds, and maintain public order.

The Urban Brigade may also serve in neighbourhood stations that ask for support during summer festivals or big events in their own territory.

What is the Urban Brigade?

This team of police officers and cadets has the mandate to provide basic police services and maintain law and order. Its mission is concentrated in the downtown core, but it also covers large events elsewhere on the island.

Since their responsibility is to work in crowds, the members receive special training on how to provide highly professional, friendly assistance.

Who do they serve?

Residents and tourists, cities and districts, event promoters...on the entire island of Montréal...during any large, festive gathering.

How can they be recognized?

The members of the Urban Brigade wear special arm-bands. 

The Urban Brigade - By the numbers:

 1 commander and 1 lieutenant

 10 supervising officers

 90 cadets

 24 bicycle patrollers

 4 horseback patrollers

 8 cars, 1 truck and 1 trailer

 4 electric "T3 Motion" vehicles

The entire team is supervised by a field commander and coordinated by the Division de la planification opérationnelle.

Why include horseback officers on the team?

Horseback patrollers and their mounts are highly visible in a crowd. The public also tends to like mounted officers, and this facilitates communication between the people and the police. Mounted officers are excellent ambassadors who fit perfectly into the mission of the Urban Brigade.

Why use bicycles?

Bicycles are extremely mobile and can move easily across a variety of terrains. As the Urban Brigade will be working primarily downtown, a relatively small area, bicycles are particularly well suited to the environment.

Why use "T3 Motion" vehicles?

These vehicles are especially useful for moving through crowded areas and accessing awkward locations.

When?

• The Urban Brigade will be on duty from the end of May until mid-September.

To find out more

Press Release « L'édition 2010 de la Brigade urbaine du SPVM »

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