Montreal Police Service announced that officers will no longer employ the hog‑tie restraint after a Quebec coroner’s office concluded the technique likely contributed to a man's death on September 18, 2026. The coroner’s finding triggered an immediate directive for police to cease using the method in any future arrests or detentions.
The coroner’s report stated that the restraint method, which involves binding a person’s hands and feet together behind the body, was a probable factor in the fatality. The determination was based on the circumstances surrounding the single death that occurred while the individual was in police custody. Following the report, police leadership issued an instruction to all units to discontinue the practice.
The hog‑tie technique has been the subject of ongoing criticism for its potential safety hazards. Advocates and medical experts have previously highlighted the risk of restricted breathing and other physiological complications when the method is applied. Past incidents in other jurisdictions have linked the restraint to deaths in police custody, contributing to broader scrutiny of its use.
Montreal authorities did not provide additional details about how the new policy will be implemented or whether training will be adjusted. The decision reflects the coroner’s assessment that the restraint played a role in the fatal outcome and aligns with a growing body of concern over the method’s safety. No further deaths have been reported in connection with the hog‑tie restraint in Montreal since the incident on September 18.