Black council pushes for change, apology after Windsor police chief's racist comments substantiated

WARNING: This story contains racially offensive language.

The Black Council of Windsor-Essex is looking for change at the Windsor Police Service as well as an apology after an internal investigation substantiated allegations that Chief Jason Bellaire made racist comments.

Last year, the police service's first Black inspector, Ed Armstrong, filed complaints internally and with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO), saying that Bellaire made racist comments to him at work.

CBC News obtained a document showing the internal investigation concluded in January and found Bellaire made statements that violated police directives, although it didn't specify what comments he was found to have made.

The board, which handles discipline for the chief, wouldn't tell CBC News if there will be any consequences, saying they don't comment on personnel matters.

"There are all kinds of steps that could be taken, but brushing it under the rug is the typical response of people who don't have the experience [and] having people around them feeling comfortable saying derogatory things and laughing it off," said Leslie McCurdy, chair of the Black Council of Windsor-Essex.

At the very least, McCurdy said, Bellaire should apologize for his comments.

CBC News reached out to both Armstrong and Bellaire but did not receive a response by publication time Tuesday.

When asked in an email to confirm whether the allegations against Bellaire were substantiated, Windsor police's corporate communications director, Gary Francoeur, said, "The information in your message is not entirely accurate.

"However, as the matter is still before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO), we cannot comment further at this time," he said.

Francoeur refused to clarify what he meant by "not entirely accurate." 

In his HRTO complaint, Armstrong says Bellaire made jokes to him about bananas and Black people, indicated he preferred "whiter" things and said he needed a "Black friend" to accompany him to certain events.

The complaint also stated Bellaire indicated he believed Black people have some form of telepathic communication. Armstrong said Bellaire also asked him to use his "Black magic" to ease criticism of a local university professor, who he described as a "Black radical."

'Never appropriate to use language like that'

An internal summary of the police investigation also said Bellaire believed it to be a "safe space" when those comments were made, and the investigator stated that meant it wasn't a "poisoned work environment."

"There's never a space, or a place or a time for those comments to be appropriate," said Nicole Kaniki, founder and director of Senomi Solutions Inc.

The London, Ont.-based company provides consulting for organizations "to embed equity, diversity and inclusion in their practices."

Kaniki said many people don't realize that the use of racially derogatory language, especially among leaders at an organization, can create an even more oppressive and toxic environment.

"It's never appropriate to use language like that. I don't think a safe space exists where you can use, especially a white person coming from a space of power and privilege, can even use such language in any environment."

McCurdy said the chief and others at the Windsor police service would benefit from more anti-Black racism training and an open discussion with the Black council.

"Let's just talk. Let's have a conversation because that never happens either, and often that's the first step to bridging differences," said McCurdy. "What can we do to make sure that these kinds of incidents don't happen again."

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.