Newest member of Hamilton's police board wants service to be more transparent
CBC
The newest member of the Hamilton Police Services board is a young, racialized family doctor — and someone who has had "mixed experiences" with the police.
"I've met many police officers who have been so understanding, patient, and gracious. I've also been in situations where I've not felt safe around the police," Dr. Anjali Menezes told CBC Hamilton.
"I grew up in circles and have many people close to me who have never felt safe with the police … and certainly what I hear a lot from the community is that's becoming a much more common experience."
Menezes, 30, works at the John Street Medical Walk-In Clinic and has been a family doctor for two years.
She also leads a group that studies how someone's race impacts what they're able to achieve in their academic and professional lives.
Menezes said some of her patients' experiences with police were part of what motivated her to apply for the only citizen role on the board.
WATCH: Why Anjali Menezes joined the board and what she hopes to achieve
Menezes was chosen by a selection committee with six city councillors and six community representatives.
City councillors used to appoint someone to the position and the last time it did in 2019, the city faced criticism for not selecting someone from an equity-seeking community.
The selection committee was established last year after its committee against racism and the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC) asked for it.
Fred Bennink, who used to be in the citizen-appointed role, resigned from the board on Nov. 3 but re-joined the board in the provincially-appointed role. He was also elected vice chair during a board meeting on Thursday.
Lyndon George, HARRC's executive director, told CBC Hamilton the community is "fortunate" Menezes applied for the role.
HARRC issued a statement Thursday saying Menezes joining the board is "significant" and added her background in trauma-informed care, medical education, and racism "will undoubtedly contribute to ongoing engagements in our community."
George said as a teenager, officers. repeatedly pulled him over while driving, which made him distrust police
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