On August 12, 2026, the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) took down a portable Flock‑type surveillance camera that had been installed as part of an ongoing investigation. The removal occurred a few hours after a news article revealed the camera’s presence in the city.
The Flock camera is a compact, mobile surveillance device that police forces in several municipalities have employed to gather visual evidence in specific cases. In Montreal, the SPVM placed the unit at an undisclosed location to support a current investigative effort, though details of the investigation have not been released.
After the media report highlighted the camera’s deployment, the police department acted to retrieve the equipment. Officials did not comment on the reasons for the prompt removal, stating only that the action was taken following the publication of the article. The timing suggests that the SPVM responded to the public disclosure of the surveillance tool.
Flock cameras have been used in other Canadian cities and abroad, where law‑enforcement agencies consider them useful for short‑term monitoring without the need for permanent installations. Their portability allows officers to position them quickly in areas relevant to particular investigations. The Montreal incident adds to the growing record of police reliance on such devices, while also illustrating the sensitivity surrounding their visibility to the public.
The SPVM has not provided further information about the outcome of the investigation or whether additional surveillance equipment remains in use. The episode underscores the balance that police agencies must maintain between investigative needs and public awareness of surveillance methods.