What is it Like to Be an Undercover Police Officer

 
Welcome Paul Manning, a former undercover police officer in Hamilton Ontario and author. Paul is a member of the International Association of Undercover Officers and a member of the International Police Association

1. Can you briefly summarize your career in policing, including the roles you’ve held, when, and in which jurisdictions or units?

I’ve had the privilege of working internationally across three continents in various major policing units since the early 1990s. My career has taken me through assignments in Homicide, Anti-Terrorism, and Special Victims Units, but my primary expertise lies in covert operations. From the outset, I specialized in undercover work, often embedded in long-term, high-risk investigations targeting organized crime and violent offenders.

2. Given the inherently high-risk nature of undercover operations, what key factors must align to ensure both the safety and success of an assignment? Conversely, what circumstances can quickly escalate into dangerous or compromised situations?

Undercover operations are built on a delicate balance of planning, control, and adaptability. To ensure both safety and success, several key factors must align: solid intelligence, a clearly defined objective, robust operational support, and a tightly controlled cover story. Trust between handlers and the operative is paramount — you need a team that not only plans meticulously but can react swiftly when things shift. Regular check-ins, pre-established signals, and layered contingency plans are critical.

Conversely, the environment can become dangerous very quickly when there are gaps in intel, poor supervision, or pressure to take shortcuts. Emotional investment, mission creep, or loss of objectivity can compromise judgment. I've seen operations unravel due to lack of communication or when supervisors don't fully grasp the realities on the ground.

3. Is there specialized training required to become an undercover officer? If so, can you describe the nature, scope, and intensity of that preparation?

The Ontario Government to The Hamiltonian re: LRT Bids

We asked the Ontario Minister of Transportation the following:

Q: With respect to the implementation of Light Rail Transit in Hamilton and the construction bid phase, will U.S.-based companies be permitted to bid on the work? Or will such firms be excluded due to the Ontario and Canadian governments’ positions regarding the U.S. tariffs imposed during the Trump administration?

The Ministry responded as follows:

Following a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), four teams have been invited to submit proposals for civil work, including utility relocations, roads, structures, grade separations, bridges, sidewalks, and traffic control signals along the 14-kilometre route.

All of the shortlisted teams for the Hamilton LRT RFP include Canadian contractors.

The four teams are:Hamilton Synergy Alliance (Applicant Lead - AtkinsRéalis Major Projects Inc.)
Steel City Alliance (Applicant Lead - Dufferin Construction Company, A Division of CRH Canada Group Inc.)
Kenaidan Murphy Joint Venture (Applicant Lead - Murphy Infrastructure Inc.)
Aecon Hamilton Transit LRT Partnership (Applicant Lead – Aecon Infrastructure Management Inc.)

Once complete, the Hamilton LRT will connect 50,000 daily commuters to an expanded Hamilton Street Railway and GO network, offering service to 17 stops, including McMaster University, City Hall, Hamilton Stadium, Eastgate Square, downtown Hamilton, and other popular locations. The LRT will put tens of thousands of jobs within walking distance of fast and reliable transit.

For more information on procurement policies please visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/procurement-restriction-policy

Thank-you to The Ministry for engaging with Hamiltonians on The Hamiltonian!

Media Release: Encampment Justice Coalition Rallies to Rescind Bill 6 Across Ontario

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Encampment Justice Coalition Rallies to Rescind Bill 6 Across Ontario

[Thursday, May 29th, 2025: Ontario] — With membership from 112 grassroots and civil society organizations working across Ontario, the newly formed Encampment Justice Coalition are Rallying to Rescind Bill 6 in four municipalities on Thursday, May 29th, 2025:

The Hamiltonian Releases Most Wanted List

Never let it be said that The Hamiltonian doesn’t have a sense of humour. In good fun—and with a light-hearted spirit—we’re releasing our Most Wanted List. This list features City Councillors who have either not responded to our interview request or have politely declined.

But fear not—this isn’t a call for alarms or handcuffs. Everyday Hamiltonians simply want to hear from those elected to serve them, and so do we.

Want to know who’s already taken part? Check out our Star Wards feature by clicking here.

To those still on the list: there’s no need for angst. It’s never too late to turn yourself in! Just reply to our email invitation, and we’ll happily move you from the Most Wanted List to the Star Wards gallery—where our shining councillor interviews live.

On a More Serious Note

We sincerely extend a renewed invitation to Councillors M. Wilson, Francis, Jackson, Tadeson, A. Wilson, and Spadafora to participate in an interview with The Hamiltonian.We fully understand that schedules can be demanding and time away is often necessary. No judgment is made. Our door remains open, and your voice is always welcome at The Hamiltonian.

With Ward 9 Councillor Brad Clark

 
Welcome to our chat with Ward 9 Councillor Brad Clark. Thank-you Clr. Clark for engaging with Hamiltonians, in The Hamiltonian!

1) You’ve served Hamilton as a City Councillor for multiple terms and also held responsibilities at the provincial level. How have you used this experience to mentor or support newer Councillors? In what areas do you find newer members often face the steepest learning curves—and where have you been able to offer meaningful guidance? Conversely, have any newer Councillors brought fresh perspectives or approaches that have influenced your own thinking? 

I have been blessed to serve the province and Stoney Creek as Minister of Transportation, Minister of Labour as well as Ward 9 Councillor. These opportunities have given me some institutional, parliamentary and municipal experience which enables me to provide some different learned perspectives. I have regular confidential meetings with elected members and senior staff where they are seeking some advice. Likewise, I have used my experience to help with motions to ensure that the language meets the mover’s intentions.

This Council has a breadth of backgrounds, knowledge and experiences that help the council and staff in our deliberations. Most of the questions that I received from some of the new councillors revolves around city policies, processes, and municipal legislation.

2) Homelessness remains one of Hamilton’s most complex and urgent challenges. In your view, what has the city gotten right—and where have we fallen short? What key lessons have emerged from our approach so far? Specifically, what is your stance on MiniCabins as a solution, and do you believe we are responding to homelessness with long-term strategy or short-term tactics?

This Council has seen many urgent challenges with homelessness as one of the most complex. Every day, Hamiltonians are seeing desperate, hungry and houseless people with some struggling with mental illness and opioid addictions.

In 2024, Hamilton received $28 million from the province for homelessness, whereas the city spent a little over $100 million. In the summer of 2023, the Council (by majority vote) permitted encampments in city parks, I opposed this policy as I felt it was inhumane. I also cautioned Council that such a policy would only serve to increase the divisions with complaints from housed residents about the loss of safe parks, noise, defecations, naked people and increased crime resulting in more violence, vandalism, and vigilantism. In 2025, Council won a lawsuit challenging our bylaw banning tents in parks. The judge ruled in the city’s favour.

Subsequently, the council rescinded the encampment policy with Council adding 192 new shelter beds as well as a pilot project of 40 tiny cabins at Barton and Tiffany. With the adoption of my motion to protect cabin residents from contaminated soils, I supported the pilot.

In the long term, senior levels of governments must help municipalities to build more supportive housing units with funding for wrap around services. Such programming helps people with mental illness, alcoholism and addiction to overcome their challenges.

3) With your extensive experience, what continues to drive you to serve both your ward and the broader Hamilton community? Where do you find inspiration and motivation today, and how do you continue to evolve in your role as a councillor?

I have been so fortunate to have the support of Ward 9 residents which gives me the opportunity to help residents with their challenges with governments. It gives me great pleasure to serve people. I have a strong Faith that inspires and motivates me during very challenging times around the council chamber and out in my ward. I have grown over time and learned how to advocate successfully through collaboration and pragmatism.

4) What would you identify as the most pressing issue currently facing your ward? How are you approaching this challenge, and what outcome are you working toward? 

Media Release: Revised Schedule for Annual LINC maintenance

City of Hamilton improving safety, supporting community:
Revised schedule for annual LINC maintenance now set for June 13 - 16

HAMILTON, ON – The City of Hamilton’s annual maintenance on the Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway (LINC) scheduled for this weekend (May 30 – June 2, 2025) is being rescheduled to June 13 - June 16, 2025.

The revised date was coordinated with the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario’s (MTO) ongoing maintenance work on the QEW Niagara-bound at the Burlington Skyway, which will occur over many weekends. Adjusting the timing of the LINC repairs ensures the two major routes are not affected at the same time.

This approach is intended to help reduce traffic disruptions and minimize the impact on motorists and the community.

As part of the City of Hamilton’s ongoing road safety and key infrastructure improvements, the LINC will be closed in both directions – eastbound and westbound – from Friday, June 13 until Monday, June 16, 2025. The maintenance was initially scheduled for May 23 - 26, 2025 and was postponed due to forecasted weather conditions.
Rescheduled dates and impacts:Eastbound: Golf Links Road to the Upper Red Hill Valley Parkway off-ramp

Friday, June 13 at 8:00 a.m. until Monday, June 16 at 5:00 a.m.Westbound: Red Hill Valley Parkway to Mohawk Road

Friday, June 13 at 10:00 a.m. until Monday, June 16 at 5:00 a.m.

Detours will be in place via Mohawk Road and Stone Church Road. Motorists can access the 403 eastbound from the Mohawk Road on-ramps. Motorists travelling into Hamilton via the 403 will be directed to exit at the Golf Links off-ramp.

Work dates are weather-dependent.
Key improvements:

This annual maintenance supports the City’s ongoing efforts to keep roads safe and traffic moving efficiently. Planned work includes:Spot resurfacing and asphalt repairs
Sections of mill and pave
Graffiti removal
Bridge and signage repairs
Pavement markings
Ditching
Catch basin cleaning
Vegetation maintenance

Residents are encouraged to plan ahead, use alternate routes during this time, and expect delays and increased traffic on surrounding roads. Motorists are reminded to follow posted detour signs and take extra caution in construction zones.

The City of Hamilton thanks residents for their patience and cooperation as we complete this important infrastructure project.

Additional Resource:LINC Maintenance webpage

Below is a link to the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index Report. The Oxford Economics Global Cities Index is an annual ranking that assesses the performance of the world's 1,000 largest urban economies. First introduced in 2024, the index evaluates cities across five key categories: Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment, and Governance. Each category comprises multiple indicators, totalling 27 metrics, to provide a comprehensive overview of each city's strengths and challenges. 

To learn more about Hamilton's placement in the ranking, click here. You may wish to check out page 77. 

Media Release: Community invited to join in Hamilton Newcomer Day festivities

HAMILTON, ON – The Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC) welcomes all to Hamilton Newcomer Day at City Hall on Friday, May 30, 2025.

Newcomer Day is an annual event dedicated to welcoming newcomers to Hamilton, showcasing essential resources and services, and spotlighting immigrant contributions to our city. This year's event promises to be a vibrant celebration of the rich diversity of Hamilton.

The festivities for Hamilton Newcomer Day will begin with an opening ceremony at noon, followed by a Canadian citizenship ceremony in Council Chambers. From 12:00 to 6:00 p.m., activities will take place both inside and outside of City Hall, including an information and services fair with close to 50 local organizations providing resources and support for newcomers. Attendees can also enjoy live musical performances that showcase the diverse cultures that contribute to Hamilton's vibrant community, a variety of food options, a local vendor marketplace, and family-friendly activities throughout the event.

The City gratefully recognizes the funding of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Royal Bank of Canada as the official sponsor of Hamilton Newcomer Day 2025. For more information on the event, please visit the official website atwww.hamiltonnewcomerday.ca.