Hamilton Police Service (HPS) presented its Race and Identity-Based Data (RIBD) Strategy to the Hamilton Police Service Board (HPSB) at its meeting earlier today.

The RIBD strategy is focused on understanding and addressing police impact on racial inequalities, including differences in outcomes like use of force among racial groups, internal policies, and training practices.

HPS is committed to promoting equitable policing by continuously investing in training. Recognizing that training is an ongoing process, HPS remains dedicated to enhancing these efforts through expanded initiatives that support fair and inclusive policing practices. Alongside the RIBD strategy, HPS is also publishing a summary of its training program, highlighting our commitment to meaningful change. This program focuses on deepening officers’ understanding of race and identity-based data, bias awareness, charter rights, and community engagement.

In 2020, Ontario's Ministry of the Solicitor General directed police to record the race of individuals in use-of-force incidents. Ontario-wide trends revealed disparities among racial communities, including Black, Southeast Asian, and Middle Eastern groups, compared to the resident population in areas such as injuries, weapons, and other use-of-force tactics. Guided by human rights and trauma-informed principles, Hamilton Police have developed its RIBD Strategy in line with the 2017 Anti-Racism Act (ARA).

In June 2024, Hamilton Police Service also welcomed the first RIBD Community Advisory Panel. This ten-member group has played a key role in helping to shape the RIBD strategy. CAP members provide critical perspective that challenge data interpretations, strategy, and action planning while offering suggestions based on their community perspectives and lived-experience.

The Community Advisory Panel includes individuals passionate about data, social justice and community service. Panel members contribute their understanding of systemic racism and their experience in research, analytics, advocacy, and frontline work.

The upcoming steps include ongoing question development, data analysis, recommendations from the CAP and continued community consultations. Based on these insights, targeted strategies will be implemented to drive meaningful change. Key milestones—such as policy updates, training initiatives, and community engagement efforts—will be shared as the strategy progresses.

The RIBD strategy is not bound by a fixed timeline. Instead, it will continue to evolve as HPS listens, learns, and adapts to community needs. The RIBD strategy will remain a dynamic and responsive initiative, ensuring accountability and sustained progress.

HPS will provide an update to the HPSB on the strategy’s progress in June 2025.

Click here to learn more about RIBD.