Article content

No, your eyes do not deceive you. For the first time in three years, Montreal police officers have donned their uniform pants.

Gone is the rainbow of multi-coloured camouflage that has made Montreal cops resemble some kind of banana republic goon squad. Gone are the so-called “clown pants” that have been lampooned by cartoonists and got under the skin of political leaders. At least until 11 p.m. Friday, that is.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Allison Hanes: Montreal cops put on their pants Back to video

As a sign of good faith in the progress being made around the bargaining table, the Montreal Police Brotherhood issued a directive to its members to put on their big boy (and girl) pants for the rest of the week. A decision on whether to renew the return to regulation trousers will be made as negotiations continue on a new contract, after the old one expired in 2015.

But Montrealers might be forgiven for being a bit confused if they get pulled over by someone clad entirely in dark blue in the next few days. They might do a double take if they see a beat cop patrolling in a sober-hued ensemble. With the uniform protest ongoing since 2014, the goofy get-ups have become part of this city’s urban decor, a symbol of our dysfunction, like potholes, graffiti and ambulances plastered with stickers.