A $112.5 million lawsuit has been filed against the City of Montreal and members of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) by a woman who became tetraplegic following her arrest in autumn 2023. The case, now before the Montreal courthouse, raises serious questions about police conduct and the treatment of individuals during detention. This Montreal police lawsuit represents one of the largest civil claims against Canadian law enforcement in recent memory.
Hortense Cica, a woman in her forties and originally from Benin, alleges that the force used during her arrest and subsequent handling by officers left her completely paralyzed and dependent on others for all aspects of daily life. The lawsuit claims that before the incident, she was fully autonomous in her movements, personal care, and daily activities.
The Arrest: What Happened on September 26, 2023
According to court documents, on September 26, 2023, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Ms. Cica went near the elementary school of one of her children in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough. A court order prohibited her from being in that location. Police officers subsequently arrested her, placed her in handcuffs, and transported her in a patrol vehicle.
The exact sequence of events during the arrest and the minutes that followed remains unclear, according to the lawsuit. However, what happened next has become the central focus of this devastating case and the subsequent Montreal police lawsuit.
Tens of minutes later, the patrol vehicle arrived at Ms. Cica’s residence in the same borough. The lawsuit states that she told officers she was unable to exit the vehicle on her own. She also reportedly informed them that she was experiencing cervical pain and tingling sensations in her limbs.
Disturbing Witness Accounts and Video Evidence
A report published by La Presse in autumn 2023 revealed that Hortense Cica was removed from the patrol vehicle and left on the sidewalk in front of her home. Videos filmed by neighbors showed her body completely motionless.
“They took the lady out of the car, they dragged her by two, as if you were throwing out your garbage. They left her like that.”
Another neighbor, Entela Duka, provided an equally troubling account of the scene. Her description painted a picture of complete disregard for the woman’s wellbeing and condition.
“They left her like a dog. The police left.”
Ms. Cica was not attended to by paramedics until approximately one hour later. By then, the damage to her spinal cord had apparently been done, leaving her with permanent tetraplegia.
Allegations of Excessive Force and Dangerous Techniques
While the lawsuit does not specify the precise action that caused Ms. Cica’s tetraplegia, it contains serious allegations about the conduct of the arresting officers. The document claims that the restraint techniques used were “excessive, disproportionate, unnecessary, or otherwise incompatible with the circumstances.”
The plaintiff alleges that her head, neck, trunk, or cervical spine may have been subjected to dangerous levels of pressure, traction, flexion, rotation, twisting, or compression. She specifically contests the “necessity, duration, intensity, technique, and proportionality” of the force used by the officers.
The lawsuit accuses the police officers, sergeants, and agents of committing faults according to their respective roles in the incident. Key allegations include:
- Using a dangerous technique for the cervical spine
- Failing to take into account the symptoms she reported
- Abandoning her on a sidewalk
- Failing to call an ambulance
Read more: Quebec Elections: CAQ Funding Ties to Former PLQ Candidate
Racial Discrimination Claims Add $10 Million to Lawsuit
Ms. Cica, a Black woman originally from Benin, has included allegations of racial discrimination in her lawsuit. She claims that her race, color, ethnic or national origin, status as a Black woman, or racial stereotypes may have influenced the police intervention and the treatment she received.
This aspect of the Montreal police lawsuit adds $10 million specifically for the alleged violation of her fundamental rights. The inclusion of these allegations reflects broader concerns within Canada’s Black community about police treatment and systemic racism in law enforcement.
For members of the Latin American community in Canada, this case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of understanding one’s rights during police interactions. Questions about racial profiling and excessive force continue to resonate across immigrant communities nationwide.
Breaking Down the $112.5 Million in Damages
The total amount sought in this Montreal police lawsuit reaches $112.5 million, making it one of the largest claims against a Canadian police force. The bulk of this sum is intended to cover the care and assistance that Ms. Cica will require for the foreseeable future.
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff now faces a lifetime of dependency. The document states that “she will need care, treatment, supplies, equipment, and assistance for an extended period or for the rest of her life.” This includes:
- 24-hour personal care assistance
- Specialized medical equipment
- Ongoing medical treatments
- Home modifications
- Loss of income and earning capacity
The City of Montreal and the SPVM have declined to comment on the lawsuit. The case will now proceed through the Quebec court system, where both sides will present evidence and arguments.
The outcome of this Montreal police lawsuit could have significant implications for police training protocols, restraint techniques, and duty of care standards across Quebec and potentially all of Canada. Legal experts will be watching closely as the case develops.
What happened to Hortense Cica during her arrest?
Hortense Cica was arrested on September 26, 2023, near her child’s school in Ahuntsic-Cartierville. She alleges that police used excessive force during her arrest, causing her to become tetraplegic. She was later left on a sidewalk and waited approximately one hour for paramedics.
How much is the lawsuit against Montreal police?
The lawsuit seeks $112.5 million in damages from the City of Montreal and the officers involved. Most of this amount covers future care and assistance needs, while $10 million specifically addresses alleged racial discrimination.
What are the main allegations in this Montreal police lawsuit?
The lawsuit alleges excessive and disproportionate force, use of dangerous restraint techniques, failure to respond to reported medical symptoms, abandoning the plaintiff on a sidewalk, and failure to call an ambulance. It also includes claims of racial discrimination.
What is tetraplegia and how does it affect daily life?
Tetraplegia (also called quadriplegia) is paralysis of all four limbs and typically the torso. According to the lawsuit, Ms. Cica was previously autonomous but now requires complete assistance for movement, personal care, and daily activities for the rest of her life.
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