Newest member of Hamilton's police board wants service to be more transparent

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

Why Anjali Menezes joined the board and what she hopes to achieve

11 months ago

Duration 0:48

Dr. Anjali Menezes is the newest member of Hamilton's police board.

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.

Menezes focused on transparency

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, officersrepeatedly pulled him over while driving, which made him distrust police.

"I kept thinking, why is this happening?"

Having Menezes on the board, he said, will help build trust with community members.

He added Menezes held a meet-and-greet with locals on Wednesday night where residents shared what they hope to see and what they're concerned about.

Menezes said her goal is to "bring more of the community's voice to the Hamilton Police Services board and to hopefully try and influence some positive change."

"Accountability and transparency would be the top priority," she said.

Menezes said she also plans to think about how to better address hate in the city and how to find common ground and shared understanding.

"I hope all of us are approaching this with an element of hope."