Hamilton preacher wins his lawsuit against police

A judge has found that Hamilton police violated the charter rights of a black preacher who was wrongfully arrested and assaulted back in 2012.

Justice Antonio Sharica found that on the night of February 12th, 2012 when Rikki Jeremiah and a friend were talking in a parked car at 1 am on King street east and West avenue that Jeremiah was unlawfully detained. The judge also concluded that police unlawfully searched the 50 year old’s car after they suspected he was hiding something between the seats.

Justice Sharica saying, “I find that the police failed to meet the duty of care and fell below the standard of care expected from the police.”
“The violations of the charter by the police resulted in the assault of Rikki Jeremiah.” and that they used “excessive force”.

The 5 white Hamilton police officers involved denied those claims when they took the stand.

Justice Sharica says Jeremiah was within his rights to refuse to provide his license that night and the police had no right to detain or arrest him for that.

Jeremiah’s friend who was with him in his car stated in trial that the police used racial slurs, but the judge concluded that there is no evidence to support that race played any role in the officers’ conduct and actions.

During the 5 day civil trial by judge only, Jeremiah stated that since the incident he has suffered from PTSD, shoulder injuries and loss of work. Jeremiah was awarded $50 000 for general damages. He had asked the court for $1 million in this lawsuit.