One month following the suspension of a Hamilton police officer due to an investigation into his public backing of white nationalist groups, an anti-racism organization has revealed that it alerted the police about the officer eight months earlier. The Hamilton Police Service (HPS) suspended Const. Renato Greco in August after discovering “disturbing” social media posts, which included content from extremist groups, anti-immigrant messages, and expressed support for a government coup over the past five years.
The Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC) informed the police in December about Greco’s association with the far-right. Director Lyndon George sent a letter to Hamilton police Chief Frank Bergen reporting that community members had observed a vehicle displaying symbols linked to the extremist group Diagolon parked outside the downtown police station. The RCMP has categorized Diagolon as an “extremist, militia-like organization.”
Despite not initially identifying the vehicle’s owner, George urged an investigation into whether it belonged to a police officer, particularly as it was frequently seen outside the station. Subsequently, after CBC Hamilton’s investigation into Greco, HARRC uncovered that the vehicle belonged to him through a license plate check at Service Ontario.
In response to HARRC’s call for an independent inquiry, Hamilton police confirmed receipt of the complaint in December and conducted an internal investigation. The Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) was notified, but it determined that the matter did not warrant a separate investigation. Police spokesperson Jackie Penman stated that the results of the December 2024 investigation are considered an internal employment issue and will not be disclosed.
CBC Hamilton’s review of LECA’s letter disclosed that the complaint would be forwarded to the Inspector General of Policing (IOP), responsible for enforcing Ontario’s policing laws. The IOP declined to comment on individual complaints but mentioned that investigation outcomes are published publicly.
Hamilton police asserted that they were unaware of Greco’s social media activities until CBC’s notification in July. Upon learning about the posts, Greco was suspended, and the case was referred to another police service for further investigation. Greco’s public posts on X and Threads, including racist content and support for extremist groups, were changed to private after his suspension.
HARRC advocated for an external investigation into the handling of the initial complaint by police, highlighting the surge in reported hate incidents in Hamilton and the presence of white supremacist groups. They urged the Hamilton Police Services Board to commission an unbiased review by an expert in anti-racism, hate symbols, and policing oversight.
According to police and public safety program professor Jen Magnus, this case will establish precedents for future officers within HPS. Magnus emphasized the importance of officers’ conduct reflecting the values of their organization to maintain community trust. In light of these events, political science professor Danielle McNabb expressed concerns about an officer with such views responding to calls involving racialized individuals, underscoring the potential negative impact on public trust in law enforcement.
McNabb also pointed out the need for greater police diversity and improved public engagement to enhance trust in the system. Magnus echoed the importance of complaint processes and civilian oversight agencies for building trust, suggesting the implementation of anonymous reporting mechanisms. Data from Statistics Canada and the Local News Data Hub emphasized the underrepresentation of racialized individuals and women in police forces compared to the general population.
This case underscores the significance of maintaining professionalism, impartiality, and community trust within law enforcement agencies. The ongoing scrutiny and calls for independent review reflect the need for transparency and accountability in addressing issues of extremism and discrimination within police departments.