To: Chief Frank Bergen
Hamilton Police Service Headquarters
Topic:
Demand for Transparency, Accountability, and Systemic Change Following the Deadly Taking pictures of Mr. Erixon Kabera
Pricey Chief Bergen,
The tragic and deadly capturing of Mr. Erixon Kabera by officers of the Hamilton Police Service occurred two months in the past.
On November 9, 2024, Mr. Kabera was shot a number of occasions in his own residence and succumbed to his accidents at 00:47 a.m. on November 10. His loss of life has devastated his household, our Rwandan Canadian group throughout Canada, and the broader Hamilton group.
Along with being a father to 3 younger boys, Mr. Kabera was a cherished member of his group via management, compassion, and unwavering dedication to others. His loss is immeasurable, and the circumstances surrounding his loss of life demand a clear and thorough investigation.
Based on police stories, officers responded to a name from a resident of the house constructing the place Mr. Kabera resided. Nevertheless, the events that led to his death remain unclear, leaving us with essential questions that should be addressed:
- What precisely transpired between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on November 9 to lead to such a violent and deadly consequence?
- Why was Mr. Kabera shot?
- Why was using lethal pressure deemed mandatory?
- Had been non-lethal choices, equivalent to Tasers, thought of or deployed?
- Why had been the officers not outfitted with physique cameras? In the event that they had been, why weren’t the cameras on, and will this have offered essential proof?
The profound influence of Mr. Kabera’s loss of life extends past his quick household and group. It has instilled concern and distrust among the many broader Rwandan Canadian, African, and Black communities in Hamilton and past. This concern was exacerbated when the Hamilton Police Association launched an announcement on November 13, 2024, unequivocally supporting the officers concerned—days after the tragedy and lengthy earlier than any details of the case had been established.
Such statements, coupled with the shortage of transparency following Mr. Kabera’s loss of life, have additional eroded public belief within the Hamilton Police Service. Neighborhood members, together with kids, now concern police presence at public occasions—a testomony to the gravity of this loss and the systemic points it underscores.
Furthermore, the systemic nature of police violence towards various communities, as highlighted by the Hamilton Police Services’ 2023 Use of Force report, calls for pressing consideration:
- Black people had been the targets of 17.2% of use-of-force incidents, regardless of representing solely 5% of Hamilton’s inhabitants.
- Black people are 3.14 occasions extra more likely to be subjected to police pressure in comparison with others.
These troubling statistics illustrate a sample of racial bias and over-policing, which raises additional urgent questions:
- Was the extent of pressure used essential to de-escalate the scenario?
- Had been the officers concerned educated in de-escalation strategies, and will this tragedy have been prevented?
- Did racial bias affect the officers’ actions, and was Mr. Kabera perceived as a risk due to his race?
Our group believes that the core precept of police is public security. Nevertheless, when police fail to guard communities equitably, it leaves us questioning the very system meant to safeguard all residents. This is the reason we, alongside the broader group, demand the reality and significant reform.
Based mostly on what we’ve realized up to now, it’s very troublesome to belief the SIU to ship a good report when 50% of its members are former officers.
I name on your workplace to provoke a full and clear inquiry into the occasions surrounding Mr. Kabera’s loss of life, together with:
- Transparency & Accountability: Clear and well timed updates from Hamilton Police Companies, the Particular Investigations Unit (SIU), and all related authorities to rebuild public belief.
- Disclosure of Data: Launch the names of the officers concerned, audio recordings from the incident, and particulars of the 911 name that led to this tragedy.
- Racial Bias Examination: A complete evaluation of systemic racial bias inside Hamilton Police Companies and the insurance policies that perpetuate it.
- Obligatory Physique Cameras: Instant implementation of physique cameras for all Hamilton Law enforcement officials.
These actions are usually not merely requests however mandatory steps towards justice and systemic change. Solely by addressing these points head-on can we stop additional tragedies and be certain that Black communities—like Mr. Kabera’s—are not disproportionately focused by these entrusted to guard them.
Your motion right now holds the facility to impact generational change. We urge you to make use of the total authority of your workplace to behave decisively and transparently on this matter.
I await your response and the measures you’ll take to handle these essential points.
Sincerely,
From: David Walsh
President, Realco Property Restricted
