Montreal police to ditch camo for Anglil funeral

The Montreal Police Brotherhood says its members will be wearing their official policeuniforms at Ren Angelil's state funeral.

The union issued the statement Monday, offering condolences to Anglil's loved ones and calling him "an extraordinary ambassador for Quebec and Canada."

"The policemen and policewomen of Montreal recognize his remarkable contributions," the statement read.

Anglil the husband and manager of Quebec-bornpop diva Cline Diondied 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 officialuniform 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, theMontreal Police Brotherhood announced it was approving atemporary reprieve from camo pants for the state funeral for hockey great Jean Bliveau.

"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 unionsaid 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 byMontreal Mayor Denis Coderre.

A week later, the union allowed its members to dress in full uniform for the funeral of former Montreal mayorJean Dor.