[news] Halifax police apologize to boxer Kirk Johnson in discrimination case

[resist at resist.ca]

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From: sabate <sabate at ziplip.com>

Halifax police apologize to boxer Kirk Johnson in discrimination case

ALISON AULD

Canadian Press

Monday, January 19, 2004

HALIFAX (CP) - Halifax's chief of police apologized to Kirk Johnson on 
Monday and admitted the heavyweight boxer was discriminated against when 
an officer stopped and seized his car five years ago, leaving him 
stranded on the side of a highway.

Frank Beazley said he was sorry for the difficulty the high-profile 
incident caused Johnson and his family after the black athlete was 
pulled over in April 1998 for allegedly not having the proper papers for 
his car. "I accept the finding that Mr. Johnson was discriminated 
against and recognize that this has been a humiliating, stressful and 
painful experience," Beazley said.

"I regret the effect this incident and the inquiry has had on the black 
community."

But moments after the chief issued his apology, the head of the police 
association issued a very different statement, insisting that Const. 
Michael Sanford - who wasn't disciplined for his actions - acted 
appropriately and did not let race affect his judgment when he stopped 
Johnson.

Det.-Sgt. Bill Hollis dismissed the opinion of the police chief and the 
chairman of a human rights commission that found Sanford discriminated 
against Johnson at least in part because of race.

Hollis denied the veteran officer was guilty of racial profiling after 
he spotted the 1993 black Ford Mustang, noticed the car's Texas plates, 
allegedly saw two black men inside and seized the vehicle.

"He made the stop because of his training and experience, not because of 
racism or profiling or stereotyping," said Hollis, head of the Municipal 
Association of Police Personnel.

"(The association) stands behind Sanford and remains steadfast in our 
belief that racial profiling is neither condoned nor tolerated by our 
members."

Hollis said the 450-person association, which has 37 black members, will 
accept new training to improve racial sensitivity, but he maintained 
that Sanford should have responded the same way if faced with a similar 
situation.

Johnson launched the discrimination case after he and his cousin Earl 
Fraser, who was driving the vehicle, were stopped by Sanford. The boxer 
accused the officer of pulling the pair over for "driving while black."

Sanford insisted he hadn't seen the colour of the men's skin as he 
passed them, but Philip Girard, the head of the inquiry, found race was 
a factor in Sanford's decision to stop the car.

Girard also found Sanford treated Johnson dismissively after the boxer 
produced his registration and insurance papers from Texas, where he has 
been living.

Sanford misread the date on the insurance and didn't recognize the 
registration sticker on the windshield, leading him to believe Johnson 
was without valid documentation.

Five police cars arrived on scene and a tow truck later came to take 
away Johnson's car.

Victor Goldberg, Johnson's lawyer, said he was dismayed by the police 
association's response and worried that little would change in a force 
he argued was tainted by systemic racism.

"They don't seem to get it," Goldberg said from his Halifax office, 
adding that Johnson was training in Dartmouth and not available for 
comment. "You have to wonder how there can be change if the rank and 
file don't think there's a problem. They're just worried about their 
reputation."

Girard ruled that Johnson, 31, is entitled to damages of $10,000, a much 
smaller sum than the $25,000 Johnson was seeking. Girard also awarded 
$1,000 to Fraser.

Girard said he didn't believe the Halifax police force is rife with 
racism. However, he ordered the force to hire two people to complete an 
assessment on whether race sensitivity training is needed.

Beazley said the force would accept the suggestions by offering Sanford 
and other members training that deals with stereotyping issues. They 
will also review sensitivity training to see if it needs to be improved.

The force will also look into ways to gather information on the role 
race plays in stopping cars. A consultant will be brought in to 
determine what needs to be done to deal with racial training.