‘Evasive’ Hamilton police officers racially profiled Black man in 2022 traffic stop, judge says [Video]

Two Hamilton police constables racially profiled a young Black man then breached his Charter rights when they detained him and searched his car in 2022, an Ontario Superior Court justice ruled.

Police found drugs and a gun in the man’s car and charged him with several related crimes, including possession of a firearm without a licence.

But due to the constables’ actions prior to police laying those charges, “I conclude that the admission of the evidence would bring the administration of justice into disrepute,” Justice Michael Bordin said in a 30-page decision released March 4. “The evidence of the drugs and gun is excluded.”

And, he said, without that evidence, the Crown could not prove the offences beyond a reasonable doubt. Bordin acquitted the man of all charges.