Montreal police order officers to stop using hog-tie restraint

Montreal police have told officers to stop using the controversial hogtie restraint after a Quebec coroner said it may have contributed to the 2025 death of 29yearold Abisay Cruz. Coroner Géhane Kamel found that Cruz died from cocaine intoxication and probable positional asphyxia during a police intervention in Montreal last March. She said the position he was held in for more than two minutes, with his limbs tied behind his back while he was face down, likely played a role in his death. Kamel recommended that police improve training on recognizing medical distress, especially in cases involving intoxication, and urged the service to equip officers with body cameras. Montreal police said they support the recommendations and will review the report as they work to implement them.