A special constable with the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) has been charged with assault and assault with a weapon following an incident at the Berri-UQAM metro station in January 2025. Mikaël Lahaie, 39, faces the charges after allegedly using cayenne pepper gel on a commuter, according to prosecutors.
The charges were formally laid on Thursday, February 26, 2026, though Lahaie did not appear in court, delegating the task to his legal counsel. His next court date is scheduled for May 4, according to court records.
The incident involved a Cree individual, prompting an investigation by the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI), Quebec’s police watchdog. BEI spokesperson Jérémie Comtois stated the bureau’s involvement was triggered by the victim’s Indigenous status, as the BEI is mandated to investigate allegations against police officers involving First Nations or Inuit individuals.
According to a statement released by the BEI, the alleged offenses occurred on January 13, 2025. While details surrounding the initial encounter remain undisclosed, reports indicate Lahaie allegedly attempted to expel the commuter from the station using pepper spray and a telescopic baton. The victim did not sustain serious injuries.
This marks the first time a special constable with the STM has faced criminal charges related to the use of force while on duty. STM special constables were granted peace officer status in 2021, subjecting them to the Police Act and BEI investigations. The STM currently employs 180 special constables, who have been equipped with cayenne pepper gel since September 2023.
The STM has not yet issued a statement regarding the charges against Lahaie. The case remains under investigation.
