Not an endorsement, Hamilton police say after photo with candidate sparks complaints

Hamilton police are happy to meet with municipal election candidates but won't endorse any.

The police service made that clear this week after a Ward 4 hopeful shared a photo with Chief Frank Bergen and other top brass via social media.

That snapshot with Max Francis wasn't a direct or implied endorsement," police clarified in a Twitter post after the candidate's photo created a stir and sparked complaints.

Under provincial legislation, police aren't allowed to engage in political activity such as formally backing election candidates.

In an email, police spokesperson Jackie Penman said Bergen has met with seven candidates in person and another via Zoom at their request during this campaign.

As has been his practice, the chief has made himself readily available to meet with community groups, councillors and members of the public to discuss safety concerns and policing issues within the community."

The meetings have been valuable in discussing specific neighbourhood issues and concerns," Penman added.

Francis says he posted the photo to Twitter after a meeting to discuss policing in the east-end ward he hopes to represent after the Oct. 24 election.

It was kind of like an information session," he told The Spectator.

The True Hamiltonian clothing store operator said he regularly posts photos of the people he meets and didn't mean for it to suggest a police endorsement in any way, shape or form."

In his post, which he has since removed, Francis called police an invaluable part of our community" and officers good people doing an impossible job."

He's a strong believer in working together to keep our community and our residents safe," Francis added. If that means that I'm the Law and Order' candidate, then so be it."

Craig Burley, a local lawyer who complained about the post, told the police board in an email that meetings with political candidates should be extirpated from the service's practice; not only because it risks controversies such as this one but because it is not in keeping with the spirit or letter of the law."

Francis said he has been accused of being a sellout" and bootlicker" for his pro-police stance.

I grew up as a Black guy in an underprivileged neighbourhood. I dealt with the police, with being pulled over, with being carded."

But Francis, a 52-year-old from Florida who moved to Canada about 25 years ago, said he's all about trying to build bridges."

He's one of 11 candidates vying for Ward 4, which Coun. Sam Merulla is leaving vacant upon his retirement at the end of this term.

Mail-in ballots

Won't make it to your polling station? Vote by mail instead.

Eligible voters must be on the voter list and fill out an application online or by phone to receive a ballot package between Sept. 1 and 22.

If they're not on the voter list, they can make an application to be placed on the list through the city clerk's office.

The ballot packages, which include prepaid postage, must be received by Oct. 24, which is election day.

They can be mailed through Canada Post or submitted in person at drop boxes at city hall and municipal service centres.

Signing on

Campaigns are in full swing, so where are all the election signs?

Expect them to start showing up on front lawns Sept. 26. That's 28 days before voters cast ballots, as per the city's sign bylaw.

However, candidates can display signs at campaign offices and on vehicles as soon as they file nomination papers at city hall.

Teviah Moro is a reporter at The Spectator. tmoro@thespec.com