Tensions between the chair of Hamilton Police Service’s board and a councillor flared during a Thursday meeting over comments the councillor made about the police service’s proposed budget.
The head of an anti-racism advocacy group says an “independent process” not Hamilton Police Service (HPS) should pick who sits on a community advisory panel set to inform the police service’s new race-based data strategy.
Ahead of a week that will see numerous city divisions present budgets, Hamilton police chief Frank Bergen stepped up to outline an increase of close to $13 million for 2024.
Hamilton’s police chief and police board chair made their pitch for $213,422,645 in taxpayer dollars on Monday, telling city councillors the 10.24 per cent increase over last year’s budget is needed to keep policing in Hamilton at its current level of service.