A Hamilton police officer, Dave Hamilton, who previously served as a school police liaison officer from 2014 to 2016, has been charged with possession and transmission of child sexual abuse material. The Hamilton Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) confirmed his past association with the school system and an after-school badminton program at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School.
The HWDSB expressed deep concern over the allegations, emphasizing the paramount importance of student safety and the expectation for all individuals engaging with HWDSB students to adhere to high standards of conduct as outlined in the code of conduct.
The school board discontinued its police liaison program in 2020, which previously involved 11 police officers overseeing 196 schools to provide a proactive presence and support investigations on school premises.
Dave Hamilton, a 43-year-old officer with 19 years of service, residing in Burlington, Ontario, faces charges of possessing and transmitting child sexual abuse material, alleged to have occurred between January 3 and 4. As a result, Hamilton police have suspended him without pay.
Additionally, Hamilton was actively involved in youth programs sponsored by ProAction Cops and Kids, an organization funding skill-building initiatives for teenagers in Southern Ontario. The charity expressed sadness upon learning about the charges against Hamilton, whose contributions were recognized in their annual reports.
Both ProAction and HWDSB redirected inquiries to Halton and Hamilton police, who declined to provide further details at the moment. Hamilton remains in custody pending a bail hearing in Milton.
Lastly, it is noted that the term “child pornography” was officially replaced with “child sexual abuse and exploitation material” in the Canadian Criminal Code in October.