Montreal police to ditch camo for Angélil funeral
Police Brotherhood says officers to wear official uniform out of respect
The Montreal Police Brotherhood says its members will be wearing their official police uniforms at René Angelil's state funeral.
"The policemen and policewomen of Montreal recognize his remarkable contributions," the statement read.
Angélil – the husband and manager of Quebec-born pop diva Céline Dion – died of cancer last Thursday. He was 73.
A state funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. at Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal.
Camouflage and funerals
Montreal's police officers have been wearing camouflage pants and red baseball caps instead of their official uniform since the summer of 2014, to protest against the province's pension reform bill.
Police officers have had a mixed history involving their uniforms and state funerals.
- Quebec government wants to ban camouflage pants for police
- Philippe Pichet says police camouflage pants 'a preoccupation'
In December 2014, the Montreal Police Brotherhood announced it was approving a temporary reprieve from camo pants for the state funeral for hockey great Jean Béliveau.
"This decision is based on the tribute we owe to this man, his family and his admirers in the context of a national funeral," the police union said in a statement at that time.
However, last June police officers wore camouflage pants and red caps to former premier Jacques Parizeau's state funeral – a move for which they were roundly criticized by Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre.
A week later, the union allowed its members to dress in full uniform for the funeral of former Montreal mayor Jean Doré.
