Police Officer Pleads Guilty After Lunging at Disabled Tenant
What really happened behind the basement door that day?
A police officer from Hamilton has been placed on an 18-month probation after admitting to assaulting a woman during an incident in February 2021.
The event occurred on February 11, around 4:30 p.m. ET, when two officers arrived to handle a dispute between a landlord and a tenant near King Street East and Sherman Avenue.
What happened next was recorded on a surveillance camera.
In the footage, two uniformed officers wearing masks are seen standing outside the door of a basement apartment, asking to speak with the tenant.
One officer points toward the surveillance camera before engaging in conversation with the tenant, who had the door slightly open.
The tenant — a transgender woman with disabilities — explains that a neighbor had complained about her. She also mentions that the neighbor, who is the building’s superintendent, had made previous complaints and was allegedly trying to evict her under false pretenses.
She claims that the superintendent was misrepresenting the situation and attempting to push for unauthorized renovations against zoning rules.
“Can I finish my sentence?” the officer says during the exchange. “If you damage his property, you will be arrested.”
The tenant calmly responds, stating she hasn’t damaged anything: “Please don’t speak to me like that.”
According to court documents obtained by CBC Hamilton, Const. Ian Milburn was handed probation with nine conditions as of November 10. These include:
- Writing an official apology to the woman involved
- Avoiding all contact with her unless absolutely necessary in emergencies
- Enrolling in anger management courses
- Completing 150 hours of community service
CBC News chose not to reveal the woman’s identity for safety reasons.
The Hamilton Police Service confirmed to CBC that their professional standards unit has begun reviewing the matter since the criminal case is concluded.
“Should a Police Service Act hearing be required, the media will be informed as mandated,” said spokesperson Jackie Penman.
Woman says she feels heard, but remains skeptical of police
During the confrontation, the officer raises his voice, saying, “I’ll speak over you because clearly you’re being unreasonable and not listening.”
He continues, “If you damage his property, you will be arrested. Do not damage anything. Understood? Thank you.”
The woman replies that she understands, and as the officers begin to leave, she says, “Enjoy your bullying of a position.”
That’s when the officer abruptly turns and lunges at the woman, causing her to quickly close the door. The footage captures him laughing with the other officer before walking away.
Following the encounter, Milburn was removed from public duty, charged with assault, and reassigned to administrative tasks.
Speaking to CBC, the woman said the situation might have been avoided if the officer had apologized earlier. She feels justified by the guilty plea but isn’t any more confident in the justice system.
“The only reason he faced consequences is because I stood up for myself,” she said.
She added that she plans to frame the apology letter as a reminder of her persistence.
