Montreal police removed a Flock-type surveillance camera on August 13, 2026 after it had been deployed for an investigation only a few hours earlier. The Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) confirmed that the device was installed as part of an ongoing investigative effort and taken down shortly thereafter.
The camera, identified as a Flock model, was placed at an undisclosed location within the city for the purpose of gathering visual evidence related to the police inquiry. According to the SPVM, the installation was intended to support the investigation and was removed once the specific operational need was satisfied. The removal occurred within the same day, indicating a brief period of use.
Authorities did not disclose the nature of the investigation, the specific area where the camera was positioned, or the reasons for its swift removal beyond the completion of its investigative role. The SPVM’s statement emphasized that the deployment and subsequent removal were consistent with standard police procedures for employing surveillance technology in active cases.
Flock cameras are network‑enabled devices that can transmit live video to law‑enforcement monitoring stations. Their use in Montreal has been part of broader efforts to incorporate technology into investigative work, subject to provincial regulations governing surveillance and privacy. The brief deployment reported on Thursday aligns with the practice of positioning such equipment only for the duration required to obtain relevant evidence.
The SPVM’s brief statement did not indicate any public safety concerns or legal challenges associated with the camera’s presence. The agency reiterated its commitment to using surveillance tools responsibly and in accordance with applicable laws. The removal of the camera was completed a few hours after its installation, concluding this particular phase of the investigation.
No further details have been released, and the police have not indicated whether additional surveillance equipment will be employed in the future as part of the same case.