An acting sergeant with the Hamilton Police Service pleaded guilty Monday after being charged with assaulting an Indigenous man during an arrest in May 2022. Despite the plea, the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre has concerns about what played out in court on Monday.
The Hamilton Police Services Board is requesting the police service review all policies and procedures related to prisoner handling and use of force after an officer was accused of assaulting an Indigenous man during an arrest.
Patrick Tomchuk was granted bail at a hearing in John Sopinka Court, during which his lawyer played a video of his head being kicked and stepped on by Constable Brian Wren during his arrest.
The Hamilton Regional Indian Centre (HRIC) is making recommendations to the Hamilton Police Service (HPS) to help address the "harm done by law enforcement agencies" against Indigenous peoples.