Disruption at police meeting

The family of Steve Mesic continues to push Hamilton police chief Glenn de Caire to release the report from his service about the investigation into his shooting death last year.

Mesic was shot and killed by two officers last June. He was shot steps from his home — after being seen walking in traffic on the Linc. The Special Investigations Unit cleared the officers of any wrongdoing in his death. But Mesic’s family believes there’s a cover up. Norm Dorr made a presenation at this evening’s police service’s board meeting — where he suggested that Hamilton police officers are not being held to account — or up to the standard outlined in their mission statement. He held up a piece of paper showing the five victims of police shootings from 2010 to 2013 — and finally he suggested the chief, who’s announced he’s leaving when his contract expires at the end of this year, should leave sooner.  “We know you have resigned and are leaving at the end of this year. But in everyone’s interest, you should relinquish your post immediately. Then we can start rebuilding trust and respect in this city. Order please, Order please.”

When Dorr was finished, de Caire responded. He listed the ways in which police officers are held accountable. But during his response — de Caire was continually interrupted: “We were just witness to 9 awards that were handed out today. And in cases where our officers were able to intervene in very difficult circumstances and were able apply the law.”

“I asked for order. I didn’t ask you to leave.”

Dorr:  “I’ll be glad to leave.”

While Dorr continued to ask the chief for the release of reports — de Caire said he’d already answered the question before. And while he didn’t respond tonight — in the past he’s refused to release them.