De Caire receives extension

Hamilton’s police chief was the focus Monday night at Hamilton Police headquarters. Months after he quit — he decided he wanted his job back. So on this evening, despite the fact the Police Services board has been looking for a replacement for almost six months — the board is bringing Glenn De Caire back — without even making him re-apply for the job. The controversial decision arrived with a complete set of political baggage — as many residents believe that strings were pulled by powerful, and wealthy insiders — to sway the votes of the Police Services Board.

The Chair of the Board Lloyd Ferguson, had a list of reasons. Everything from the construction of a new forensics building — to Pan Am security, in Hamilton’s new stadium: “I think we all know that a lot of the people that some to soccer events, may not behave the best. So we’ve really got to have as hard and fast security system”

Both Ferguson, and the Chief, said they were swayed by “hundreds” of individuals — who wanted DeCaire to stay: “Speaking with people who have been victimized by crime, and I heard what they wanted. And what they wanted was for me to continue my work as a home as a part of this team and I’m proud to do so.”

It’s no secret that the Chief has had some monumental disagreements; on occasion challenging the board from which he is supposed to take administrative direction:

Councillor Terry Whitehead: “Anyone that has a different point of view certainly has felt the wrath of the chief.”

Despite that — he was reappointed.

Councillor Chad Collins clearly felt that public lobbying by wealthy individuals, including Charles Juravinski, was the deciding factor in giving De Caire his job back: “I believe the deck was stacked several weeks ago. Well, it calls into question the integrity of the process. And it calls into question whether it’s a process of who you know rather than what you know.”

A viewpoint that Ferguson flatly dismissed: “I don’t agree with you that they made the decision. We made that decision.”

But it certainly looked that way to other members of the board:

Councillor Whitehead: “I think the question really is, when you look at perception, sometimes perception becomes reality.”

Walter Juchniewicz: “Personally, I did not vote for it.”

With both aldermen, and citizen representative Walter Juchniewicz voting against re-appointment — it became clear that Board Chairman Lloyd Ferguson cast the deciding vote. Ultimately, he said, it came down to this: “It’s the right thing for public safety.”

The decision may have been rendered — but the controversy is just beginning. Even if there is no truth to the suggestion that the fix was in for DeCaire — there is no doubt that — as Terry Whitehead suggested — the perception will remain.

And that perception could have a negative impact on both the functioning of the Police Services Board, and the ability of the chief to maintain the support and confidence of not only board members, but members of the public and sworn police officers, as well.