Hamilton Police Service acknowledges the recent court decision in R. v. Elawad, in which a judge found that Hamilton Police officers racially profiled the accused and breached his Charter rights during a traffic stop where a firearm and drugs were recovered.

We take this matter seriously and have referred the decision to our Professional Standards Branch for review.

This case stems from a 2022 incident. Since then, we have implemented enhanced training on Charter rights and unconscious bias, launched a race and identity-based data strategy, and introduced in-car and body-worn cameras to strengthen public trust and enhance community safety. We are committed to a comprehensive approach that includes reviewing policies, practices, and decision-making processes to ensure they uphold human rights.

We recognize the impact of these decisions on our community and remain committed to ensuring fair and impartial policing in Hamilton.