Montreal police removed a Flock‑type surveillance camera from a police investigation site on August 12, 2026, just hours after the deployment was reported in the media. The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) had installed the device as part of an ongoing investigation, but the equipment was taken down shortly after the story about its use was published.
The camera, identified as a Flock model, was positioned by the SPVM to gather visual information relevant to the case. No further details about the nature of the investigation or the location of the camera were released. Following the publication of the story, the police unit responsible for the operation removed the camera from the scene.
The removal came quickly, indicating that the police responded to the public exposure of the surveillance tool. The SPVM has employed similar technology in past investigations, using cameras to monitor areas of interest without a physical presence. The decision to withdraw the device after media coverage suggests a sensitivity to the visibility of surveillance tactics.
Officials from the SPVM did not provide additional comment on why the camera was taken down or whether the investigation will continue using alternative methods. The brief interval between the story's release and the camera's removal underscores the rapid response of the police to external reporting.
The incident adds to ongoing discussions about the balance between law‑enforcement surveillance capabilities and public awareness. While the SPVM confirmed the camera's use and subsequent removal, it offered no further information about the impact on the investigation or any future deployment of similar equipment.