Building bridges after Villanueva

When 18-year-old Fredy Villanueva was shot and killed by a Montreal police officer one Saturday night in August 2008, his multi-cultural, working-class neighbourhood erupted in violent riots.

The anger and rage that rocked Montreal North's streets that weekend underscored a long-simmering tension between residents and police.

Montreal police's track record with cultural communities came under unprecedented scrutiny.

What followed was a difficult and sometimes painful public conversation about police accountability.

The coroner's inquest into Villanueva's death is set to resume in Montreal in early February, with victims' families hoping for answers about what happened the night he died.

Ahead of the inquest, CBC Montreal and Radio-Canada are taking a deeper look at how police and minorities interact in this city today.

The special radio series on police and cultural communities will explore efforts to build bridges with minorities as well as the thorny issue of racial profiling.

Tune in toDaybreak, Homerun, All in a Weekendand Radio-Canada's Desautels program to hear more.

THIS WEEK ON CBC MONTREAL AND RADIO-CANADA:

On Wednesday, Jan. 27: Associate producer Ange-Aime Woods has the story of a cultural liaison officer who works for Montreal Police. Tune in toDaybreak at 7:15 a.m.

On Thursday, Jan. 28:Daybreakhost Nancy Wood interviews Gilles Deguire, the new mayor of the Montreal North borough. Tune in at 7:15 a.m.

On Thursday, Jan. 28: Associate producer Salimah Shivji has the story of Gemma Raeburn, a Montreal businesswoman who is still waiting for compensation from the police force in her drawn-out racial profiling case. Tune intoHomerun at 5:10 p.m.

On Thursday, Jan. 28: Radio-Canada reporterChristine Limogesshares Gemma Raeburn's story on the radio programDsautels. Tune in at 4:50 p.m.

On Friday, Jan. 29:Associate producer Salimah Shivji joinsHomerun withan update on the battle between the Quebec Human Rights Commission and the city of Montreal regarding racial profiling cases.

This weekend:All in a Weekendhost Dave Bronstetter speaks with Will Prosper, a community activist and former RCMP officer, who says he never felt accepted by the Mounties because of the colour of his skin.