Hamilton Police have achieved 92 per cent of the recommendations set out by Scott Bergman of Cooper, Sandler, Schime & Bergman LLP outlined in the independent review of Pride Hamilton 2019. The report was presented during the final update to the Hamilton Police Service Board (HPSB) on implementing Bergman’s recommendations.

In November 2019, the HPSB commissioned an independent review by Scott Bergman of Cooper, Sandler, Schime & Bergman LLP of the Hamilton Police Service response to Pride Hamilton 2019. The review and its findings were presented on June 11, 2020, and laid out 38 recommendations to help foster a stronger relationship with Hamilton’s 2S & LGBTQIA communities.

“We know it will take time to build a trusting relationship,” said Chief Frank Bergen. “We are committed to working hard to better understand the 2S & LGBTQIA communities’ trauma through sincere, supportive and respectful dialogue.”

Since 2020, Hamilton Police have created a 2S & LGBTQIA Liaison Officer role, undertaken a diversity audit, created in-depth seminars on 2S & LGBTQIA topics, as well as drafting new policies and procedures for operational planning. The Service also worked with McMaster University on a Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ Communities Survey to gather community feedback on criteria for a facilitator to lead future Town Halls and community meetings moving forward.

“While many of these recommendations are marked complete, they don’t signal the end of our work. We will continue to embed 2S & LGBTQIA topics into our training to ensure we are constantly building our understanding of diversity and inclusion, “added Diodati.