Tides of change hopefully will cleanse the stench off Hamilton Police Services

Hamilton's police services board has taken the unexpected and somewhat surprising step of choosing an external candidate, Toronto police Staff Superintendent Glenn De Caire, to replace retiring police chief Brian Mullan. Some critics are wondering why one of the force's two deputy chiefs weren't promoted, while others say a new face and leadership is a good thing.-from The Hamilton Spectator, November 20,2009

In my opinion there isn't even a debate here the best candidate should fulfill the position ireespective of their current location. I don't think members of the HPS are good enough for a role as chief. They've been shown examples from Mullan that the police can break the law as they see fit. This has resulted in criminals being freed because the police violated constitutional rights. This has also resulted in innocent people losing everything (Michael Dixon) because their constitutional rights were trampled upon by HPS. The HPS have never been unable to deal with street criminals... But as far back as I can remember, they've been absolutely useless in dealing with the criminals in their own police force. Here's to the future, Chief De Caire please do your best to promote justice which is an inherent right given to us by our Constitution, not by the parts your predecessor saw fit to uphold in order to further his own political agenda.

If I may make one suggestion, much in the media has been made of the efforts the Chief has established in the Jane and Finch area of Toronto in trying to curb the gang and drug activity. Hamilton's Bartonville and surrounding area is a 4.3km forgotten area of crack houses, hookers, sleazy junk shops that area politicians and police have ignored, leaving; the few decent property owners and small businesses owners who care about bring decency back to an area that once was the home of some of the fiercest community pride this city has known, to defend for themselves. Please Mr. De Caire take a walking tour of the area and speak to the deli owner's and the working stiff's like myself who are willing too work for minimum wage to keep a modest home over his head and not take the cowards way out and live off our tax dollars. We need more undercover and uniformed beat cops, camera's and more police backed community and business organizations like ones formed on Ottawa and Stinston Streets.

In other positive moves Bernie Morelli is stepping down as chair of the Police Services Board hard on the heels of the board hiring the new chief of police. It seems right to extend that clean slate all the way to the PSB. New chief. New chair. The air hanging over city government already smells sweeter, it isn't ginger and spice but it's sure better than sh**.

Morelli is a passionate police supporter, maybe too so. Many times accusations of conflict of interest have risen because of the "brotherly" relationship between Morelli and Chief Brian Mullan. The PSB is a civilian board that oversees the chief. It sets the budget and the policy. It can also call for internal investigations when there are allegations of police wrongdoing, of which there have been a few during Morelli's iron fisted reign.

The Community Coalition Against Racism, which accused the police of systemic racism, has said Morelli needs to go. Others, citing the fact Morelli's son is a Hamilton cop and his brother was at one time also on the service, have cried conflict of interest and said he needs to go.

Bringing in De Caire a complete outsider is a stroke of genius, I applaud the oracle keepers who showed some insight, while everyone else was counting on passing the torch to another member of the old guard. For better or worse -- it does wipe the slate clean. De Caire has no affiliation with Hamilton. No friends, no enemies. Hopefully the board will see with the same clarity and pass the torch to someone looking to speak up and not sit idle and be dictated to.

Later,
Kenaz