Some violent crimes declined in 2013

Violent crimes like robberies, assaults and attempted murders declined in Hamilton in 2013, according to year-end statistics released at Tuesday’s Police Services Board.

But homicide bucked the trend with 13 slayings, an 85 per cent leap over the previous year’s murders. Sexual assaults also increased, growing by 4.6 per cent in 2013 to hit 410 reported cases.

SIU investigations drop

Hamilton police referred 11 incidents to the province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and the independent agency invoked its mandate to investigate in nine of those cases.

The SIU must be summoned in cases involving allegations of sexual assault or incidents involving serious injury to civilians during encounters with police.

The stats from last year show a significant drop from the 18 referrals and 16 investigations the service reported in 2012.

Deputy chief honoured

Retiring deputy police chief Ken Leendertse was fêted at his final police services board meeting Tuesday as a dedicated professional who would be missed.

“I thank you for your outstanding service,” board chair Lloyd Ferguson said. “You have a wonderful style, and we’d love to have you hang around, but we understand you want to move on to another phase of your life.”

Former chair Nancy Di Gregorio drew a chuckle from Leendertse when she added “I know what retirement is, and I can tell you, you’re going to love this club!”

Chief De Caire praised Leendertse’s 35 years of service, noted the impact he add on key issues like the Red Hill Valley Parkway protests, the creation of the mounted police unit and the deepening understanding of First Nation treaty rights by the police.