G20 review will probe use of police force

One of the bodies reviewing law enforcement practices around the G20 summit says it will examine issues like the use ofpolice force, containment tactics and conduct towards civilians.

The Office of theIndependent Police Review Director, apolice watchdog,released on Thursday the official terms of reference of its probe into police conduct during the June 26-27 meeting of world leaders in downtown Toronto.

"The review will identify issues and make recommendations to specifically address the policing of large protests and the maintenance of public order and to generally enhance public confidence and trust in police and policing," the OIPRD said in a Thursday release.

The agency said it would examine a number of issues, including police stops and searches, arrests, "incivility," and issues around the G20 detention centre on Eastern Avenue.

The probe will also address "containment tactics" during protests a contentiousissue that earned the police criticism.

The most prominent example is theusage of "kettling" tactics on June 27, in which about 500 people were hemmed in by hundreds of riot police at the intersection of Queen Street West and Spadina Avenue for several hours in the pouring rain. The use of that tactic came one day after protests turned violent, with ahandful of police cruisers being set on fire and dozens of businesses vandalized.

Around 1,100 people were arrested over the course of the weekend, but most of those detained were not charged. As of early October, 239 people were still facing charges and six people have been convicted.

The OIPRD has received at least 275 complaints about police conduct during the G20. Gerry McNeilly, the head of the provincial agency, said in July that the review will investigate all Ontario police forces that were involved in the summit, but not the RCMP or other outside forces.

The OIPRD has not said when the review will be completed.

The agency was established about a year ago by the province to "provide an objective, impartial office to accept, process and oversee the investigation of public complaints against Ontarios police."

It is conducting one of five reviews into security measures around the G20. The other four reviews are:

• A Toronto police internal review.
• A review by the civilian-runToronto Police Services Board, which will focus on policy, oversight and governance.
• An Ontario ombudsman review of the expanded powers in the G20 security area.
• An Ontario government review of how the province implemented a regulation granting police new powers in the G20 security area.