Helena Pereira bias hearing

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A Hamilton Police officer charged with several offences including insubordination will not receive a new hearing after her allegations of biased proceedings was turned down.

The security footage from February 2013 shows Sergeant Helena Pereira slapping her cousin in the face after he was arrested on drug charges.

A month later, a plain-clothed Pereira is seen pushing a drunk prisoner into her cell.

The 25 year veteran was convicted of using un-necessary force and insubordination in that incident and discreditable conduct in the incident involving her cousin.

Pereira was never suspended

Months into her police act proceedings, Pereira’s lawyers alleged they were biased after it was revealed that hearing Officer Morris Elbers had privately dined with prosecutors six times throughout the hearing.

Elbers, a retired OPP Superintendant announced whether he would excuse himself or stay on as the Adjudicator in the case.

Elbers said that it’s common for members of the Police Service Act Proceedings to get tother and that Pereira’s council waited too long to report their allegations.

The issue wasn’t addressed until September.

Last year, Hamilton Police budgeted $200-thousand for legal fees. The same amount is being set aside for this year.