Hamilton Police put out call for LGBTQ+ community facilitator
Published April 14, 2022 at 2:57 pm
The Hamilton Police Service is seeking the public’s help in selecting a facilitator to lead future meetings with the LGBTQ+ communities.
The meetings are a response to a 2020 report commissioned by the police board, which was tasked with investigating the events that took place at Pride 2019 in Hamilton. Far-right protestors crashed the event and it led to violence. Members of the LGBTQ+ communities voiced their displeasure with Hamilton Police and questioned whether more could have been done to keep their communities safer.
Hamilton Police accepted all 38 recommendations from the report, which included the recommendation for more outreach and communication between police and the LGTBQ+ community through a third-party facilitator.
A survey by McMaster University identified the following criteria for that facilitator:
- 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
Members of the LGBTQ+ community are invited to submit names of facilitators based on the criteria until Apr 22, 2022.
Submissions can be made online.
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Police say individuals suggested by the community will receive a package with detailed information on the next steps, budget, scope, and timelines.
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