Hamilton’s outgoing Police Service Board has called a special closed session meeting for November 6. The Board’s notices states they will deliberate on a “Strategic Plan Recommendations Report” prepared by consultants Consilium Public Sector Services.
The special meeting will occur less than 10 days before the new City Council takes power on November 15 and gets to appoint a majority of the seats on the Police Board.
On Thursday, the outgoing Police Board announced they had appointed a new Chief of Police without any competitive hiring process. The Board’s appointment decision prevents the incoming Police Board majority from conducting the hiring process, and openly defies incoming Mayor-elect Keanin Loomis who stated during the election campaign no senior hires should occur during the lame duck period before the new Council takes office.
Any decisions made by the outgoing Police Board will be binding on the incoming Board.
The seven-member board consists of the mayor, two members of city council, one citizen appointed by council, and three appointees selected by the provincial government.
The outgoing members are Councillor Esther Pauls (who was not re-elected in Ward 7), Councillor Cameron Kroetsch, and Councillor Mike Spadafora. Kroetsch and Spadafora were re-elected to their council seats.
The Council citizen appointee seat is vacant following the resignation of Dr. Anjali Menezes in June.
The provincial appointees, chosen by the Ontario Progressive Conservative government, are Don Robertson, Shaun Padulo, and Robin St. Jean. They will continue to serve on the Board.
Production Details
v. 1.0.0
Published: October 31, 2026
Last updated: October 31, 2026
Author: Joey Coleman
Update Record
v. 1.0.0 original version
Discussion
0 commentsNo comments yet. Be the first to add your perspective.