Montreal’s police service announced this month that officers are no longer permitted to use the “hogtie” restraint, a method that was linked to a single death during a crisis situation. The decision follows an internal review that concluded the technique posed a serious risk to individuals in police custody.
The ban was issued by the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) after the fatal incident, which occurred last year when a man died while being restrained with the hogtie method. The review found that the position, which immobilises a person by binding the hands and feet together behind the back, can compromise breathing and circulation, especially in high‑stress encounters. The SPVM determined that the risk outweighed any operational benefit and moved to prohibit its use across all units.
The hogtie technique had been part of police training and was employed in various arrests and crisis interventions. However, the fatal outcome prompted scrutiny from oversight bodies and community groups, leading the department to reassess its policies. Officers are now instructed to adopt alternative, less restrictive methods that comply with provincial standards on use‑of‑force and detainee safety. The SPVM indicated that the new policy will be reinforced through additional training and monitoring to ensure compliance.
The change reflects a broader trend among Canadian law‑enforcement agencies to review restraint practices after high‑profile deaths. While the ban applies only to the hogtie method, the SPVM emphasized its commitment to continuous evaluation of all tactics that could endanger public safety or the wellbeing of individuals in police custody.