Police Abandon Controversial Restraint Technique
The Montreal Police Service has instructed officers to cease employing the so‑called “hog‑tie” restraint after a 29‑year‑old man died during a police intervention in March 2025. The decision follows a directive issued by the force’s leadership, which cited the coroner’s findings that the technique likely contributed to the death of Abisay Cruz. The restriction is immediate and applies across all units within the city.
Coroner’s Investigation and Key Findings
Quebec coroner Géhane Kamel released a detailed report concluding that Mr Cruz’s death resulted from cocaine intoxication combined with probable positional asphyxia. In her assessment, she determined it was “highly likely” the posture in which he was held exacerbated the fatal outcome. The report noted that Mr Cruz had toxic levels of cocaine in his system at the time of death, ruling the incident as accidental.
Kamel highlighted that officers placed Mr Cruz on his stomach with his limbs bound behind his back for more than two minutes, a positioning that poses a serious risk of asphyxiation. She also observed that a sergeant was present and should have issued clearer guidance to the officers on the scene. Among her recommendations were improved training in recognising medical distress, especially in cases involving intoxication, and the rollout of body‑worn cameras for all frontline officers.
Family, Community Reaction and Witness Accounts
Mr Cruz’s family, represented by lawyer René Saint‑Léger, expressed deep distress over the circumstances of his death. Video footage captured during the incident shows an officer saying, “Yes, we know that you’re in distress,” according to Mr Saint‑Léger’s statement to Global News in April 2025. The family also claimed that police arrived in force without clear explanation of why they were called.
Advocacy group CRARR, whose director Fo Niemi commented on the case, said a witness reported that “an officer kicked Mr Cruz in the belly when he was already raising his hands as if to surrender.” Additional footage reportedly shows an officer’s knee on Mr Cruz’s back, “almost touching his neck.” The mother of the deceased begged officers to stop, telling them her son needed help and was in an altered state of mind, yet she alleges the beating continued even after handcuffs were applied.
Community members in the Saint‑Michel neighbourhood, a working‑class area with sizable Latin‑American, Haitian and North‑African populations, have raised concerns about police conduct. Many feel the response was disproportionate and reflect broader issues of racial bias within the force.
Police Response and Implementation of Recommendations
Montreal’s Police Chief has expressed support for the coroner’s recommendations, stating the service will “continue reviewing the report and implementing its findings.” The force has already begun a review of its restraint policies and is working on a programme to introduce body‑worn cameras. Officers are being reminded of the importance of recognising signs of medical distress, particularly when dealing with individuals who may be under the influence of substances.
The department also announced that the sergeant present during the incident will undergo additional training on de‑escalation techniques and crisis intervention. A public meeting on racism, held by the chief, left many attendees disappointed but hopeful that concrete actions would follow.
Why it Matters
The suspension of the hog‑tie restraint marks a pivotal shift in Montreal’s policing approach, reflecting growing scrutiny over police use of force, especially in vulnerable communities. The coroner’s emphasis on medical awareness and the push for body‑camera footage signal a move toward greater accountability and transparency. For families like Mr Cruz’s, the changes could mean fewer tragic losses and a more compassionate response from law‑enforcement agencies. This case also underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reform in how police handle crises involving individuals with substance‑use issues, potentially setting a precedent for other jurisdictions confronting similar challenges.
