Demand accountability: Support the review of Cst. Renato Greco's
national honour.
To Her Excellency, the Governor General of Canada,
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We, the undersigned, are calling on the Office of the Governor General to conduct a formal review and rescind the Police Exemplary Service Medal awarded in 2023 to Hamilton Police Service Constable Renato Greco.
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The Police Exemplary Service Medal is intended to recognize police officers who have served in an exemplary manner, characterized by good conduct, industry, and efficiency. This honour represents the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to public safety and well-being. It is essential that recipients of this national
honour uphold not only operational competence, but also conduct that reflects Canada’s core values of democracy, inclusion, and respect for human rights.
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Public reporting and statements from the Hamilton Police Service confirmed that Constable Greco was suspended while the Service investigated what it described as “disturbing” social media posts. These posts reportedly included content reshared from extremist sources, anti-immigrant messaging, and material expressing support for anti-democratic actions, including a coup against the government, spanning a period of at least five years. Such content has raised serious concerns among community members regarding alignment with the values expected of a recipient of a national honour recognizing exemplary service.​
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In addition, the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (HARRC) documented and reported the presence of a symbol associated with the anti-immigrant group known as “Diagolon” displayed on Constable Greco’s personal vehicle, which was observed parked outside a downtown Hamilton police facility. The presence of such symbols, which have been publicly associated with extremist ideology, has contributed to fear and eroded trust among community members, particularly those from newcomer, racialized, and marginalized communities.
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Further concern has emerged following Constable Greco’s apparent return to active duty, and the replacement of the previously reported decal with another symbol that has been publicly identified by researchers and monitoring organizations as having been appropriated by some white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups as a marker of extremist ideology. While the symbol is rooted in historical Christian, chivalric, and nationalist contexts, the phrase is has also been adopted by modern far-right and nationalist movements. "In hoc signo vinces" (In this sign you shall conquer) was used as the title of a 1960 pamphlet by American Nazi Party founder George Lincoln Rockwell. In it, he expressed admiration for the swastika and argued for the white race to "reconquer the Earth" and has since been adopted by far-right groups.
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While such symbols may have historical or religious origins, their contemporary use in extremist contexts has transformed their meaning and impact, particularly for communities that have historically been targeted by hate.
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National honours such as the Police Exemplary Service Medal carry profound symbolic importance. They communicate to Canadians who represents the values of service, integrity, and public trust. When credible concerns arise regarding conduct that appears inconsistent with these values, it is essential that the integrity of the honours system be protected through transparent and accountable review.
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This petition does not presume the outcome of such a review. Rather, we respectfully call on the Governor General’s office to:
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Conduct a formal, independent review of the awarding of the Police Exemplary Service Medal to Constable Renato Greco;
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Assess whether the conduct and associations documented align with the standards of exemplary service required for this honour; and
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Rescind the medal if it is determined that the standards of integrity, conduct, and public trust associated with the award have not been upheld.
Public confidence in Canada’s institutions depends on accountability, transparency, and a shared commitment to democratic values and human dignity. Reviewing this matter is essential to maintaining the credibility of Canada’s honours system and ensuring that national awards continue to reflect the principles they were created to uphold.
We urge the Governor General to take action consistent with the values of accountability and public trust.
Symbols Matter!
When historical imagery is weaponized to exclude or intimidate, we will continue to stand with those targeted and advocate for an inclusive Hamilton.
Certain historical symbols have been appropriated by extremist movements in ways that distort their original meaning and promote exclusion.
The phrase “In hoc signo vinces” (“In this sign, you will conquer”) is traditionally associated with Constantine the Great.
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George Lincoln Rockwell, the founder of the American Nazi Party, wrote a pamphlet titled In Hoc Signo Vinces around 1960. In it, he expressed admiration for the swastika, calling it the symbol for the "white race" to "reconquer the Earth".
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The phrase is often used alongside other "crusader" or medievalist symbols by far-right groups, such as the Knights Templar cross, to symbolize a perceived, violent struggle against non-white people and Islam.
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Some modern white supremacist, neo-Nazi, and "active club" groups use this type of historical, religious rhetoric to frame their activities, which often include violent training and propaganda, as a holy or, in their view, existential war for white survival.
