Hamilton Police are calling on the Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA community to help select a facilitator to lead future meetings with Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA communities. 

In June 2020, Scott Bergman presented the results of a report commissioned by the Hamilton Police Service Board investigating the events that took place at Pride 2019 and the harm that was caused to community. Hamilton Police Service accepted all 38 recommendations of the Bergman Report and began to implement those that fell solely to the Service. Three of the recommendations directed Hamilton Police to gather the input of Hamilton's Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA communities as part of the engagement process with community. These recommendations were: 

Recommendation 25—The HPS should retain a third-party facilitator or mediator from a list provided by community members to facilitate future community meetings moving forward. 

Recommendation 26— The HPS should consider holding larger town hall meetings to review their action plan, ‘The Way Forward’. 

Recommendation 27— The HPS should consult with the community to determine if and when it may be appropriate to recreate a community task force/advisory committee 

Hamilton Police are moving forward on Recommendation 25 to identify a third-party facilitator for future community meetings. A recent survey https://bit.ly/3NIoxa3 by McMaster University invited Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA communities to identify the skills and qualifications needed for a facilitator. The survey identified the following criteria: 

· Must be a member of the Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA community 
· Independent 
· Politically neutral~ 
· Unbiased 
· Should not be affiliated with the Hamilton Police Service 
· Knowledgeable about the issue and challenges faced by Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA Hamiltonians 
· Must understand historical oppression of marginalized groups by police 
· Previous experience working with Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA community organizations and/or with other marginalized communities 
· Understand appropriate language usage~ 
· Skilled in trauma informed practices 

Hamilton Police Service invites members of the Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA community to submit names of facilitators based on the criteria identified above. The survey will be open from April 1, 2022 until April 22, 2022 and is available at Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA Facilitator Nominations. https://surveyhero.com/c/sm9ygmah

Individuals suggested by the community will receive a package with detailed information on next steps, budget, scope and timelines.