CNA Newsroom, Dec 21, 2022 / 13:30 pm
The police department in Montreal prohibited its officers from wearing religious symbols at work, especially images of St. Michael the Archangel, state media CBC/Radio-Canada has reported.
The mandate from the City of Montreal Police Service (SPVM) was based on a 2019 law and was a direct response to the uniform worn by officers at protests related to the COP15 international forum held in Montreal Sept. 7.
On that day, many officers were seen on social media wearing badges that read “St. Michael protect us,” in homage to the patron saint of Canadian police.
“After analysis, it was agreed that the crest of St. Michael worn by SPVM (Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal) police officers on their uniform is a religious sign within the meaning of the law,” the memo sent out to officers said.