Ex-judge Morden to head G20 policing review

Former Ontario Court of Appeal judge John Morden will reviewhow Torontoofficers policed the G20 Summit, the city's Police Services Boardannounced Thursday.

The independent civilian review, announced amid sharp criticism of police officers from civil rights groups and protesters, will examine policy, oversight and governance but not specific operational issues.

The review is one of five launched to inspect police and government conduct in the lead up to and during the G20.

Morden has worked for law firm Heenan Blaikie for the past six years. He has specialized in civil, commercial and public law since being called to the bar in 1961.

"His vast experience in public law and civil rights matters make him the appropriate person to conduct this important review," said Alok Mukherjee, chair of the review.

Another Heenan Blaikie lawyer, Ryan Teschner, will act as review counsel, serving as the main contact for media and public inquiries.

Nearly 1,000 people were arrested duringprotests around the summit ofworld leaders. Most have since had the charges against them dropped.

The review is not a full public inquiry, which has been demanded by many critics. It is not legally binding, although Toronto police Chief Bill Blair will have to answer to the board.

Toronto police are also conducting an internal review of police actions.

The independent civilian review will only investigate Toronto police officers. Issues involving outside police brought in for the summit will be considered by the Ontario Provincial Police's independent review director.

The Ontario governmenthas appointed Roy McMurtry, former attorney general, to review how the government used the Public Works Protection Act to give policespecial powers to arrest people who entered the securesummit area in downtown Toronto.

The provincial government revived the 70-year-old legislation in order to be able todeclare the summit area a public work, making it a de facto no-go zone.

Ontario Ombudsman Andre Marin is also looking into the use of the expanded powers in the security area and is expected to present his report in early October.