New Indigenous police liaison says she hopes to 'build bridges,' expand role in Hamilton

Members of the urban Indigenous community in Hamilton are welcoming the city's first Indigenous Hamilton Police Service (HPS) liaison — a role some are hopeful will help build trust and reduce violent interactions with police.

A ceremony to mark the start of the role was held Friday at Pier 4 Park. The sunny afternoon was filled with laughter, song and the sweet smell of burning plants and fire as HPS Const. Stacey Hill, a Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe woman, was welcomed into the position.

The event came nearly a year after the assault of Indigenous man Patrick Tomchuk. Hamilton police Const. Brian Wren pleaded guilty in February to the assault, which took place during Tomchuk's arrest in May, 2022.

Following the assault, the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre (HRIC) made several recommendations to improve relations between police and the Indigenous community, including the use of mandatory body cameras, the creation of a committee that would implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action and the liaison position.

While the recommendation was made last year, Hill said there have been efforts to establish an Indigenous liaison over the course of her entire 25-year career. 

"After a lot of trials and tribulations, here we are. We're finally here," she said. 

Hill's goal as the liaison is to "build bridges" between Indigenous residents of Hamilton and the police, and she said she hopes to eventually expand the role and have more Indigenous liaison officers working with HPS. 

"I won't be working forever," she said, adding that eventually she will need someone to take over her role. 

An Indigenous face can 'make them feel safer': HRIC

The welcome event involved a ceremonial fire, along with the burning of four Indigenous medicines — sweet grass, sage, tobacco and cedar. 

Hill said she felt the ceremony was important to introduce herself and her role to the community. 

"I'm able to see you and come and help you if you need help," she said. 

Hill was welcomed into her role by a new Indigenous Consultation Circle, a group which includes members of the HRIC, the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic (HCLC), non-profit organization Niwasa Kendaaswin Teg and the Hamilton Native Women's Centre.

Several speakers welcomed Hill, including Lyndon George from HCLC. George said the consultation circle was also created to address issues between Indigenous residents and the police. 

George said the group has developed a strategic plan it will share with HPS and that there will be ongoing talks about the relationship.

"We're hoping... that the impact will mean that there are less Indigenous people who are being criminally charged," George said.

"And more importantly, there are less Indigenous people who are being met with the brutal violence of any kind of police agents."

Audrey Davis, executive director of the HRIC, said having another Indigenous person there during police calls is an important step in building trust between the Indigenous community and the police. 

"When Indigenous people are engaged with, when we have that brown face there to make them feel safer and to connect them to services in the community, there is more relationship building," she said. 

'We don't want to [always meet] in tragedy or crisis': Hamilton police chief 

At the ceremony, police Chief Frank Bergen said he is thankful the HRIC has been open to discussions with HPS. 

He said the investigation into the assault of Tomchuk has prompted more discussion between Indigenous community leaders and police. 

"This community is continually willing to work with us in an advisory capacity and therefore, when issues are are on the horizon, we can have conversations," he said. 

"But we don't want to get to the position where we're always just meeting in a tragedy or in a crisis." 

Hill was gifted an eagle feather and tobacco. All in attendance took a small pinch of the medicine and dropped it into the fire, signifying their hopes for Hill's new position and what it will mean for the community. 

"A lot of people have been looking forward to this and now that it's finally come to fruition, the response has been phenomenal within the Indigenous community," Hill said.