I stand with Councillor Green

With some pieces being published regarding the ongoing disciplinary hearing of a Hamilton Police Services Const., I am feeling compelled to speak out.

Shedding light on a culture of racism, injustice or simple malpractice does not render one anti-police. We can be supportive of our police and the otherwise great work they do, all the while holding them accountable for the times they don’t, and asking them to do better. Incidences of carding are not the fault of one individual constable, as much as they are a symptom of an environment that needs redressing. This is how human rights work, and the police are not immune from it.

Unfortunately, the only way to move forward on this was for Coun. Matthew Green to proceed with a misconduct complaint. Rather than punishment, I hope we see institutional changes within the police.

As a privileged white male who has never been subjected to profiling or carding, I stand with Coun. Green and simply ask the police to do better. Rich Gelder, Dundas