Hamilton's police services board has directed Chief Glenn De Caire to meet with a local women's organization to learn more about why victims of domestic violence feel less comfortable coming to police under his watch.
The board voted Monday for De Caire to meet with Interval House, a local women's shelter, to discuss a community safety audit that shows that almost all abused women surveyed wouldn't turn to police for help again.
Clare Freeman, executive director of Interval House, wrote a letter to some board members last month protesting the process through which De Caire was able to remain chief. She cited the audit, conducted from 2010 to 2012, that showed 110 women surveyed wouldn't go back to the police, mostly because of "poor response and attitude" from the service.
'It would take a brave person to sign a letter like this.'- Walt Juchniewicz, police services board member
De Caire will meet with the Interval House board to learn more about their concerns and report back. But Freeman's letter was worrisome, said Coun. Lloyd Ferguson, police board chair.
"Of course it's alarming if women won't use the service anymore," he said.
Freeman sent her letter to Ferguson, Chad Collins and Terry Whitehead, city councillors who serve on the police board. Last fall, De Caire publicly announced that he wouldn't seek an extension to his contract, which ended this December.
But in the spring, local business owners publicly stated that they wanted the chief to stay. The board voted last month to let De Caire rescind his notice and serve at least another two years.
Police officers presented to the board Monday outlining their work in domestic violence since 2010, citing conference presentations, training and a community advisory team, among other measures.
But much of the good work in this area didn't start under De Caire's leadership, Freeman told CBC Hamilton. And the service has regressed.
'Disappointed' letter only went to men
In the past, police and women's organizations worked so well together that it was a model for the province, she said. But little by little, that's slid backward.
An example: instead of women's services being able to meet with police about concerns, Freeman said, they now have to go through a formal complaint process that draws in the victim.
"Policy isn't everything," she said. "It's attitude. It's compassion. You can't fix things through policy alone."
'It is in fact an incredible number of victims and it is the focus of all of our work.'- Chief Glenn De Caire on the number of domestic violence cases
Freeman sent the letter to councillors, she said, because they seemed to be the ones being lobbied by big names in the business community. She wanted to make sure victims' voices were heard too, she said.
But Nancy DiGregorio, a provincial appointee to the police board, said she was "disappointed" that the letter went to three male councillors and not the board's three female provincial appointees — herself, Irene Stayshyn and Madeleine Levy — who she says are women's rights advocates.
Member Walt Juchniewicz said he didn't get a copy of the letter either, so "whether it's male or female, I think it really doesn't matter." He stressed that the board should take Freeman's letter seriously.
16 domestic violence calls every day
"It would take a brave person to sign a letter like this," he said.
"I just hope we can actually deal with this with the care and compassion I saw in this letter."
Freeman said she's happy to present to the board, or to meet with any member of the police service to discuss her concerns. She just wants the relationship between police and organizations that deal with domestic violence to improve, she said.
"I truly believe in true community partnerships and I really hope that we can move in that direction and have that."
Hamilton police answer about 6,500 domestic violence calls per year, or about 16 calls per day, De Caire said. It also responds to more than 400 sexual assaults per year.
"It is in fact an incredible number of victims and it is the focus of all of our work," he said.
The board also voted Monday to have city staff report back on auditing measures used for the annual police budget.
This came after retired accountant Shekar Chandrashekar said he uncovered discrepancies and recommended that police use an external auditor.
The police budget falls under the same auditing process as the city, Ferguson said.
He feels comfortable that adequate measures are in place, he said, but the board will get more information.
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