Montreal police say assault of off-duty officers ‘totally unacceptable’

Montreal police are speaking out after the alleged assault of two off-duty police officers last week near Place Émilie-Gamelin.

Insp. Marie-Claude Dandenault said it happened in the overnight hours of Friday to Saturday. The two officers from Station 21 in downtown Montreal were off duty and going out for a bite to eat when Dandenault says they were recognized as police officers.

They were encircled, “punched and thrown to the ground,” Dandenault said.

“Someone recognized them on a terrace and yelled out: ‘civilian police, civilian police,'” Dandenault said, explaining the attack was targeted.

READ MORE: Montreal police identify suspect in alleged verbal assault

Dandenault went on to say that the incident has “deeply affected” the police community as a whole.

“It’s totally unacceptable,” she said. “We can’t tolerate these kinds of things.”

“These types of attacks are attacks on police but also on the judicial system.”

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Both officers are on sick leave and recovering from injuries. She says they are receiving all the necessary support.

“They’re home. They’re bruised. One has a slight concussion, but they’re doing alright,” Dandenault said. “They are out of danger.”

Police have boosted patrols in the area where the attack took place. The increased visibility is aimed at reassuring not only the public but officers as well, according to Dandenault.

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An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

“We are putting all our means to identify these people and make sure this type of thing does not happen again,” she said.

So far, two women and four men have been arrested. Of those arrested, two of them are minors.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of seventh person and Dandenault said there could be more arrests.

Hamidi Ben Hamida and Mélina Geoffroy, both in their 20s, appeared in court on Monday to face charges of assault and intimidating justice system officials.

On Tuesday, Geoffroy pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing bodily harm. The other charges against her have been dropped.

She is expected back in court next week for a sentencing hearing.

A third individual linked to the attack near Place Émilie-Gamelin in downtown Montreal appeared before youth court Monday.

— With files from Global News’ Brittany Henriques and the Canadian Press