In June 2024, Brent Bowden discovered a banana peel on his truck, prompting concerns due to the historical association of banana peels being used as racist taunts against Black individuals, including athletes. Bowden, an African Nova Scotian constable with the Truro Police, expressed his disbelief and questioned the origin of the peel.
Security camera footage from the Truro Police Service revealed two officers leaving the detachment in the rain, one carrying a banana, which was later tossed from the vehicle onto Bowden’s truck. This incident led to Bowden’s absence from work, triggering complaints under the Police Act and a dispute regarding his union representation.
Internal investigations were conducted by the Truro Police Service and Town of Truro following the incident. While the town maintained that there was no evidence of intentional wrongdoing, Bowden criticized the lack of disciplinary action against the involved officers. He felt his concerns were dismissed, and the investigation was merely a superficial response to contain the controversy.
Despite filing complaints against the officers involved, the investigations did not find misconduct under the Police Act. Bowden and a police inspector suggested that the banana peel incident might have stemmed from a workplace joke. However, DeRico Symonds from the African Nova Scotian Justice Institute emphasized the impact on Bowden, regardless of the intent behind the action.
The final reports recommended additional training for the police service on cultural competency and unconscious bias, which the Town of Truro confirmed had been implemented. Bowden’s return-to-work plan included avoiding contact with the officers involved, but he remains off duty with no set return date.
Additionally, the article highlights Bowden’s struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder following prior incidents at work. Despite facing challenges, Bowden seeks a public apology from the town as a step towards facilitating his return to work and hopes to raise awareness by sharing his story.
The Atlantic Police Association, Bowden’s union, declined to represent him, citing a conflict of interest. Legal actions were also taken against Bowden for sharing social media posts unrelated to the banana peel incident, further complicating his situation. As Bowden awaits responses to the ongoing complaints and appeals, the resolution remains uncertain amidst the broader implications for workplace culture and racial sensitivity.