More than two dozen public transit security guards who weren't hired for a new police subway patrol unit have filed formal complaints with the Quebec Human Rights Commission alleging discrimination.

At least 25 guards employed by the Montreal Transit Corp. are seeking $2 million in damages for not making the cut when the city's police force hired new officers for metro security.

Montreal police took over security in the city's metro system in June 2007 and hired several security guards who were then trained to be police officers.

Several of the guards who were passed over for the police jobs allege they had the right qualifications but weren't picked because of their race.

The Centre for Research Action on Race Relations, or CRARR, which is working with the complainants, said two black security officers initially contacted the organization about possible racial discrimination in the hiring process.

But when CRARR interviewed other failed candidates, it appeared other factors were at play, said Fo Niemi, the centre's executive director.

"The pattern is that there's a lack of consistency, a lack of transparency, and a lack of fairness in the way many of the hiring procedures were applied," he told CBC News on Tuesday.

Alberto Pongelli, who has worked as a metro security guard in Montreal for 12 years, said he believes he meets all the requirements to join the new police force patrolling Montreal's metro system — but he wasn't hired.

"I'm a graduate of John Abbott College. I've graduated from l'École nationale de police," Quebec's police academy, he said. "Since then I've been a police officer elsewhere. And yet, I'm refused."

A total of 118 metro guards applied to transfer to the police force. About 40 were hired and are either working with the special metro police unit or are in training.

The Quebec Human Rights Commission is reviewing the complaint.

Montreal police said they won't comment on the complaints because of the commission's investigation.