Process to hire city’s next police chief underway
Chief Eric Girt announced his retirement in December
Hamilton could see a new police chief hired by April after Chief Eric Girt announced his retirement last month.
Mayor Fred Eisenberger, chair of the Hamilton police services board, said the process is already underway. The board has hired the firm Odgers Berndtson to lead community consultations to assess what Hamiltonians want to see in their next chief.
They will be looking at both internal and external candidates. Eisenberger said the process will probably take until April.
“It’s one of the most important jobs (of the board) and one we’re looking forward to,” he said, adding it’s a process the whole board will participate in.
Eisenberger said he believes they need someone with strong leadership, appropriate qualifications and strong communication skills, “especially when communicating with the public at large.”
He is also hoping the top job attracts diverse candidates.
“It would be great to have the opportunity to look at female candidates and candidates from diverse communities,” Eisenberger said.
Girt announced his retirement at the Dec. 17 police board meeting. Over his 35-year career, Girt rose through the ranks at Hamilton police, including 14 years in senior command, as deputy chief and then chief since 2016. His five-year contract was up in May, however, Girt opted to leave early to give time for a smoother transition. He’s officially gone in February, but is using vacation time in January.
Girt appointed the police service’s two deputy chiefs to alternate month to month as acting chief for the interim. In January it is deputy chief Frank Bergen and in February it will be deputy chief Ryan Diodati.
Girt’s retirement comes amid mounting public pressure on policing internationally and in Hamilton, including fallout after a violent clash involving homophobic disrupters at Pride in 2019 and the defund the police movement. In an interview with The Spectator when he announced his retirement, Girt said that criticism did not play a role in his decision to retire.
“If I had a choice, I’d prefer that he didn’t leave,” Eisenberger said, adding that he respects Girt’s decision.
Girt has done “an outstanding job,” he said, bringing a wealth of experience to the job.
But Eisenberger also acknowledged the pressures facing police in Hamilton and elsewhere, and the need to find the right fit for the new chief.
The police board is hosting two virtual town hall events later this month to discuss policing issues that will include live polls and question and answers. Eisenberger said there will also be outreach to community leaders and broader surveys to help the board understand the needs for the next chief. The police board has not yet begun accepting applications, but a call out is expected as soon as the next couple of weeks.
The virtual town halls will take place Jan. 26 and 27 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. They will be livestreamed on the Hamilton police Facebook page. Residents will participate through a randomized call out to City of Hamilton land lines. Residents without a land line who wish to be included in the pool can register a phone number by 4 p.m. Jan. 25 at hpsbpublicmeeting.com. Results from the town halls will be posted on the police board website.