Mayor says he's stepping away from Hamilton police board to make room for a woman member

Hamilton's mayor says he's stepping down from the city's police oversight board before the end of his term to make way for a new councillor to serve on it — particularly a woman. And at least one female city councillor says she's interested.

Fred Eisenberger, who chairs the Hamilton Police Services board, says he'll leave as of Nov. 26 to make way for "a new board pick that potentially boosts diversity," including gender diversity.

Eisenberger said in a media release that he planned to leave the board last year, but stayed because of the pandemic and the appointment of a new chief and deputy chief. 

The timing of Eisenberger's exit means council will likely pick a new member at a Nov. 24 meeting. Eisenberger didn't say who'd like to see on the board, but that he wants it to be a woman. That person would only serve for a year before the municipal election in November 2022.

"To my knowledge, council has not appointed a female to the police services board in the past 30 years, if ever," he said.

Judi Partridge, Ward 15 (Flamborough) councillor, has expressed interest since council's last appointment, Tom Jackson (Ward 6, east Mountain). She said Tuesday that she still is.

Partridge, who helped found Interval House Flamborough Women's Resource Centre, says she wants to use the seat to work on the issue of rural domestic violence. In rural Flamborough, she said, victims are geographically as well as emotionally isolated. 

"I'd like to have some very intentional discussions, particularly around domestic violence against women and their families," she said.

Partridge says she also wants to keep her eye on construction of the new division four building in Waterdown, which is shared space with police and fire. Construction is scheduled to begin next year. 

Nrinder Nann (Ward 3, central lower city) is the only woman of colour on city council. She said Tuesday that she won't seek the position.

There's currently one woman on the seven-member board — Pat Mandy, who is also the only Indigenous member. 

Other members are as follows: