Hamilton police officer accused of carding city councillor Matthew Green is acquitted

A Hamilton police officer accused of arbitrarily stopping a black city councillor has been found not guilty.

It was two years ago when constable Andrew Pfiefer stopped Matthew Green while he was waiting for a bus. Green said he felt racially profiled and psychologically detained. Pfeifer said he was just doing his job and checking on the councillors well being because was under dressed for the weather. Pfeifer was charged with misconduct.

Today the hearing officer said: “I lack the necessary confidence in Mr. Green’s credibility to accept his evidence that he was psychologically detained.” Saying the officers concerns were reasonable and the stop wasn’t arbitrary.

“I think it was pretty clear within the first 5 minutes of the police hearing that this was not the proper forum to discuss the factors around racial bias and profiling.” Matthew Green.

“There was nothing wrong with the proceeding, nothing wrong with the hearing, a very simple task who is telling the truth and it became very clear who was telling the truth.” Bernard Cummins, Pfeifer’s lawyer.

Green has also filed a human rights tribunal complaint.

Hamilton police chief Eric Girt released a statement saying, the hearing officer has made his decision based on the evidence presented and we respect the process. The decision speaks for itself.