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A special constable with the Montreal Transport Company (STM) is facing assault charges over an intervention at the Berri-UQAM Metro station a little over a year ago, marking a first in the public transit agency’s history.
Mikaël Lahaie, 39, allegedly tried to expel the victim, who was Cree, from the station with pepper spray and a telescopic baton on Jan. 13, 2025.
The charges against Lahaie — one count of assault and one count of assault with a weapon — were brought forward by Quebec prosecutors following an investigation by the province’s police watchdog, known as the BEI.
This is the first time a special constable with the STM faces charges after using force in the performance of their duties.
Lahaie was supposed to appear in court Thursday morning but did not show up, delegating instead his lawyers to receive the evidence. Proceedings have been postponed to May 4.
The STM’s special constables have been subject to BEI investigations since becoming peace officers in 2021.
The BEI is mandated to open an investigation into interventions involving special constables whenever they result in serious injuries or death, or if the victim is an Indigenous person.
In this case, the victim was not seriously injured but the BEI became involved by virtue of the victim being Cree, said BEI spokesperson Jérémie Comtois.
The public transit agency employs 180 special constables who have been equipped with cayenne pepper gel since September 2023.