Plans for police in metro stalled

It could be one full year before police officers begin patrolling Montreal's metro system.

Although the city had said police would be on duty in January 2006, a delay in the plan shocks and worries the police union.

A commander has been chosen to head up the new metro police squad, but the squad itself has not been created. It will consist of more than 100 officers.

"We're really worried about this situation. It must be done as fast as possible," says Yves Francoeur, head of the Montreal police fraternity.

The metro team should be put in place as soon as possible because trained officers are the only people equipped to deal with crime in the metro, Francoeur says.

"The police department is the only one who has the special training about the terrorism question and the street gangs," he says.

The delay is being blamed partly on training. New officers chosen to work in the metro will get special training, but for some that could be delayed for as long as six months.

Although he can't say for sure, Francoeur suspects the real slow-down is coming from city hall.

In May 2005, an agreement was reached among the city of Montreal, metro security agents and Montreal's police force. The metro security guards will be integrated into Montreal's police force.

The Montreal Transit Corporation announced 95 security agents and 12 sergeants would become part of the police force.