Community calls for systemic changes to Hamilton police following alleged assault of Indigenous man during arrest
Family members of an Indigenous man allegedly assaulted by Hamilton police during an arrest are backing community calls for changes in local law enforcement to prevent racism-fuelled violence.
Indigenous community members and allies gathered at the downtown police station Tuesday to demand systemic changes" to Hamilton policing, including body-worn cameras for all officers, the creation of an Indigenous police liaison position and a hate-crime review circle."
Society must always hold police accountable when unwarranted acts of violence are inflicted upon members of the Indigenous community, or any other community," said Audrey Davis, head of the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre.
The call to action was prompted by the alleged assault of Indigenous resident Patrick Tomchuk during his arrest at a Hamilton gas station May 26. Video footage of the arrest prompted Hamilton police to suspend and charge Const. Brian Wren with assault. His first court appearance was last month.
On Tuesday, Chief Frank Bergen of the Hamilton police called that footage - which has not yet been made public - disturbing" and troubling." He said he welcomed the chance to meet with Indigenous residents to discuss the calls for change.
The video will be played at a Wednesday bail hearing for Tomchuk related to various charges he faces that include alleged possession of property obtained by crime and assault-resisting arrest.
Tomchuk's sister, Dhelia Baldwin, said she supports the demands. I think it would make a difference to the whole Indigenous community (because) it's not just my brother this has happened to," she said.
Baldwin said her brother has complained of rough treatment" by police in the past without any results. Patrick is no angel, but at the same time, he doesn't deserve to be beaten," she said. This isn't the first incident. There have been other occasions ... but we've never had evidence before."
Her mother, Olga Tomchuk, expressed hope there would be serious" consequences for the alleged assault on her son. Who knows (what will happen) to the next one if it's not taped," she said.
Many, if not all, of the specific calls for change Tuesday were also backed by the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic, Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion and Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre.
They included specific demands that police look at the alleged assault as a potential hate crime and investigate any past allegations of police brutality against Indigenous residents, even if there is no video evidence.
More broadly, Davis also called on police to improve officer training, adopt body-worn and vehicle cameras for all officers, create a hate-crime review circle, hire an Indigenous liaison officer and reserve a spot on the police board for an Indigenous member.
Davis acknowledged some advocates concerned about violent or even fatal encounters with law enforcement have called for police forces to be defunded" altogether.
But she said Tuesday the current call to action focuses on changes meant to rebuild relationships" with a wary Indigenous community reeling from decades of institutional violence" ranging from the infamous Sixties Scoop to periodic clashes with police over First Nations land claims.
Bergen said Tuesday some requested changes should happen soon. For example, he said the service is already seeking an Indigenous liaison officer and supports the idea of a hate-crime community review team.
The service also plans to outfit police vehicles with cameras - but so far, body-worn cameras are not on the table.
Bergen said the service is endeavouring to research" allegations of potential past troubling police interactions with Tomchuk, but he had no new information to share as of Tuesday.
Matthew Van Dongen is a transportation and environment reporter at The Spectator. mvandongen@thespec.com