Montreal is considering a new bylaw that would make it illegal to insult police officers on the job.

The proposed public order bylaw is under discussion between the city and Montreal police, and could become a reality later this year.

The goal is to encourage respect toward police officers on the beat, especially at night when bars close and during protests, said Yves Francoeur, president of the Montreal Police Brotherhood, the union representing officers.

"There is a lack of respect for police officers working on the streets," he said Monday. "What we are [experiencing] when they close the bars on St. Laurent Street from Thursday night to Saturday night, there's always trouble."

Police officers are "victims of intimidation and threats" which would be tempered if a bylaw were in place.

"It's only a question of respect," Francoeur said. "We have to respect a code of ethics when we deal with citizens, so they have to respect us too."

Discussions underway are weighing the feasibility and applicability of such a bylaw in Montreal, said Paul Chablo, director of communications with the police force.

"I kind of agree with the concept that respect has to be earned," he said. "But there are extreme cases where police officers are abused, and it can deteriorate into bad situations."

One issue on the table is what would constitute an insult — pig, donut-eater or worse, Chablo said.

The proposed bylaw would fall under Montreal's public order law. It's not clear what kind of fine any infraction would carry.

Similar bylaws already exist in other Quebec cities, including Quebec City, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières.

A related bylaw banning certain kinds of face coverings during public demonstrations is also being considered by the city of Montreal.