High ranking cop charged with stalking
In a statement on Friday afternoon, WA Police said Assistant Commissioner Gailene Hamilton had been charged with one count of stalking and four counts of unlawful use of a computer system.
Ms Hamilton had been promoted to the third top job last month only days before she was stood down from her position following allegations of misconduct, The West Australian reported.
The matter was referred to the Corruption and Crime Commission after an internal investigation into allegations that Ms Hamilton had harassed a fellow officer.
In June, WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the investigations involved allegations of 'persistent messages' between Ms Hamilton and another senior officer.
She has been charged with four counts of unlawful use of a computer system and one count of stalking.
WA Police said she remains stood down, and is due to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court on August 6.
'As the matter is before the courts, there will be no further comment at this time,' WA Police said in a statement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton immigration council ‘deeply alarmed' by reports of white nationalists training in city parks
The Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC) says it is 'deeply alarmed' amid reports that white nationalists are gathering to train in local parks and gyms. Dubbed 'active clubs,' the far-right groups aren't 'benign social organizations,' HIPC warned in a news release Thursday. 'They are part of a transnational movement grounded in fascist ideology, white supremacy, misogyny and violent extremism.' The council's 'unequivocal' condemnation comes in the wake of a CBC News investigation which reported white supremacist groups have been training for an impending 'race war' in the Hamilton area, including public spaces like Myrtle and Gage parks, as well as a pair of local boxing gyms. The troubling activity is part of a broader trend. In ' Hate Rising ,' a multi-part series released in 2023, The Spectator reported about a group of Hamilton-grown neo-Nazis who called themselves Nationalist-13 — and who claimed to be part of the 'fastest growing nationalist community in Canada.' The investigation revealed Nationalist-13 was responsible for a sticker and vandalism campaign across Hamilton, including a white pride sticker placed over the face of a Black municipal election candidate's billboard. Existing as a white nationalist community on messaging app Telegram — like many other modern neo-Nazi outfits — the group also organized publicity stunts, such as waving racist banners over the Red Hill Valley Parkway and using Sam Lawrence Park to engage in survivalist exercise. In its July 18 story, CBC described Nationalist-13 as one of Canada's most prolific 'active clubs.' Ongoing public displays rooted in hate are particularly concerning given newcomers are among the city's largest users of parks, said Grace Baldwin, chair of the HIPC and director of Goof Shepherd's Family Centre. 'They should be able to feel safe as they go about in the city.' Immigrants most often experience discrimination in public places, according to Baldwin. She pointed to early results from HIPC's 2025 Immigration Survey — expected to be released this fall — which suggests 'stores, banks, restaurants, parks and sidewalks were among the top five contexts where participants experienced discrimination' in the past year. Baldwin said about one-third of survey participants — 630 newcomers responded — reported experiencing discrimination since 2024, with racialized immigrants more likely to be victimized than white participants. 'When we're seeing this type of (white nationalist) activity out in the open, in the community, what message is this sending to newcomers?' Baldwin said over a call. 'We felt it was important to speak about this and send a message to newcomers that there are people within this community that are here to support you.' In a statement, Coun. Nrinder Nann — whose ward includes the parks cited by CBC as training grounds for white supremacist groups — called violent extremism a 'national security threat.' 'This presence is concerning to neighbours across Ward 3 and to me personally,' said Nann, who also spoke about the issue at length in a 16-minute Instagram video July 23. 'Active clubs operate under the guise of sparring and physical training — however, their mandate is to incite national race wars.' White nationalists operating in Hamilton are not an isolated concern, according to the HIPC. Hamilton police recently reported a fourth-consecutive annual increase in hate-related incidents with 297 reported in 2024 — up 35 per cent from 2023 and well above the 10-year average of 146 per year. Staff Sgt. Ryan Hashimoto of the hate-crime unit attributed the uptick in part to more reporting, but also a rise in alt-right ideologies, anti-immigration rhetoric and geopolitical events like the Israel-Hamas conflict. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Yahoo
High ranking cop charged with stalking
A Western Australian assistant police commissioner will face court next month charged with stalking. In a statement on Friday afternoon, WA Police said Assistant Commissioner Gailene Hamilton had been charged with one count of stalking and four counts of unlawful use of a computer system. Ms Hamilton had been promoted to the third top job last month only days before she was stood down from her position following allegations of misconduct, The West Australian reported. The matter was referred to the Corruption and Crime Commission after an internal investigation into allegations that Ms Hamilton had harassed a fellow officer. In June, WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said the investigations involved allegations of 'persistent messages' between Ms Hamilton and another senior officer. She has been charged with four counts of unlawful use of a computer system and one count of stalking. WA Police said she remains stood down, and is due to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court on August 6. 'As the matter is before the courts, there will be no further comment at this time,' WA Police said in a statement.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
Hamilton man guilty of causing distress to animal, fined $2K after video showed him dragging dog
WARNING: This story contains disturbing details about animal cruelty. A Hamilton man has been found guilty of causing distress to an animal and fined $2,000, two years after a video showed him dragging his dog down a sidewalk. Neil Stratford was convicted on June 10 under Ontario's Animal Welfare Services Act, the Ministry of the Solicitor General announced recently. Ministry spokesperson Brent Ross told CBC Hamilton the charges were related to the video. In it, Stratford is seen whipping Merlin with a leash and pulling him roughly 100 metres down a sidewalk in the Dundas area. CBC Hamilton attempted to reach Stratford for comment by phone. The person who answered at his residence hung up after a reporter told the individual who was calling. The 2023 video was widely shared and prompted a public outcry. Dog 'never got the chance to truly heal' At the time, Ashley DaSilva, founder of volunteer-based Hamilton animal rescue group Fur Warriors, criticized the response from police and the province, telling CBC Hamilton she thought Stratford should have faced criminal charges. On July 7, Fur Warriors posted on Facebook about the decision in Stratford's case, saying Merlin "was failed every step of the way" and "never got the chance to truly heal." Ross said Merlin was removed from Stratford's possession and stayed in the care of Animal Welfare Services until dying of cardiac arrest a year later. Stratford, who was also found guilty of permitting distress to an animal, is prohibited from owning, caring for or living with animals for 15 years. He must also allow Animal Welfare Services inspectors to come by unannounced four times per year and notify that service if his address changes. Ross was not able to confirm if a third charge against Stratford was dropped.
