LODD: SPVM Cst. Mohamed Lamine Benredouane

Constable Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, 34, of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal

June 22, 2026 ... another dark day for our Canadian law enforcement community and all Canadian residents. While intervening during an active shooter situation in Montreal, in the Côte-des-Neiges neighborhood, 34-year-old Constable Mohamed Lamine Benredouane of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), was shot and killed. He had been serving with SPVM since 2021. SPVM Police Chief Fady Dagher shared with media yesterday that a female police officer was also injured and was reported in stable condition. The female officer's identity has not been revealed. A civilian, Michael (Michel) Moshe Mizrahi, was also shot and killed while heroically helping others to safety. He will be remembered as another hero.

Chief Dagher described slain Cst. Mohamed Lamine Benredouane as a "very, very good police officer", and SPVM released these words: 'His passing is a great loss to our organization,' ... 'His sense of duty, dedication and professionalism will forever remain in our memories.' Chief Dagher's words, 'It's a tragic moment, a real nightmare. It's a dramatic moment for me and my troops,' will resonate with law enforcement officers and those who serve alongside them, all across Canada. These two deaths and the injured officer echoes of another act of evil and hatred that has yet again scarred our nation.

While pondering this tragedy, not wanting to glorify the cowardly acts of the deceased gunman, my thoughts turned to Sir Robert Peel's Policing Principles. Robert Peel, known as the "Father of Modern Policing," established a list of nine principles to guide and direct the motives and actions of law enforcement officers serving in England. I was first exposed to Principle 7 as a young officer by one of my commanding officers: Brandon Police Service Police Chief Ian Grant while he addressed a graduating police recruit class. It led me to research Peel's nine principles and try to implement Principle 7 in my daily duties. Now retired from policing, but active as an instructor for police recruits, I share the significant importance of implementing this principle and adopting it even at a police recruit level. Today, I perceived an even greater understanding of the importance of this principle. While reflecting upon the combined heroic efforts of Constable Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, the injured female officer, and the Montreal resident Michel Moshe Mizrahi, my comprehension of Peel's 7th principle has been significantly elevated.

Sir Robert Peel's 7th Principle reads: "Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police, the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence." The death of the officer and the death of a civilian, both acting to prevent loss of life in the midst of gunfire, is an incredible illustration that there is no separation between the public and the police. On June 22nd, the actions of a police officer and the actions of a member of the public were forever united in history through the combined sacrifice of their lives; "the police are the public and the public are the police." Their actions prevented further deaths and the heroics of other responding officers silenced the threats to further losses of life.

Horrific tragedies such as the June 22nd Montreal murders can compel police officers to become more guarded towards the public, more sinical towards God and faith, more protective of family to the point of isolation and control; I know this is truth because I lived it as a police officer prior to embracing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Faith and the wisdom in Peel's 7th principle remind us that a "thick blue line" is not a healthy standard of living for a police officer. Lines lead to walls, and soon the "us and them" mindset influences our thoughts and our actions towards the public which we swore on oath to serve and protect. It's easy to slide in that direction when we ponder the June deaths of OPP Constable Tarun Bali, TPS Constable Marc Pinizzotto, and SPVM Constable Mohamed Lamine Benredouane. The funeral for TPS Constable Marc Pinizzotto is tomorrow; these murders are very fresh in the thoughts of those serving in law enforcement communities across Canada. In working through our emotions, and not wanting to focus solely on the murderers, there may be a benefit to reflecting upon the importance of Sir Robert Peel's 7th Principle.

On behalf of the CPCA Executive, National Leadership Team, and CPCA members, our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Constable Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, his friends, and his peers at SPVM. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Our thoughts and prayers also extend to the family and friends of Michael (Michel) Moshe Mizrahi for your horrible loss; he will be remembered as a public hero. Our prayers also extend to the injured female SPVM police officer for a full and healthy recovery.

Two RCMP officers from the Melville Saskatchewan RCMP Detachment were shot during the evening hours of June 21st in Melville, SK. They were responding to an assault against a Melville resident by a neighbor when the suspect opened fire striking both officers. These officers are in critical condition in a Regina hospital. They are expected to survive, but with life altering injuries. This is yet another tragic situation and a stark reminder that we need to continue to be vigilant in daily prayer for all law enforcement officers, first responders, correctional officers and all those who protect the public. Our thoughts and prayers are with the RCMP officers and their families. Please keep our fellow police chaplains in prayer as God opens doors for them to minister to fallen officers' families, colleagues and those injured while serving and protecting us, the public.

Sincerely,

Rev. Bruce Ewanyshyn

CPCA President & ICPC Director of Region 1

Retired Brandon PS Constable & Honorary Chaplain