G20 officer Mark Fenton, who ordered mass arrests, should keep his job, lawyer argues

A Toronto officer convicted of misconduct for the massive breach of civil liberties at the G20 six years ago should not be temporarily demoted, his lawyer argued this morning.

• G20 officer who ordered mass arrests, should be fired, complainants say
• Mark Fenton foundguilty of discreditable conduct in G20 arrests
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Lawyer Peter Brauti said the prosecution's submission that Supt. David (Mark)Fenton be demoted for one year is too harsh. Instead, Brauti said his client should be reprimanded and lose 10 days pay.

Fentonwas convicted last year under the Police Services Act forhis actions at the tumultuous 2010 summit.

The tribunal foundFentonhad no grounds to order riot police tobox in and arrest hundreds of people,many of them innocentbystanders. In two incidents, large groups ofprotesters were contained in once placeby a phalanx ofofficers a tacticknown as kettling for hours at the intersection of Queen and Spadina during a downpour.

The G20 weekend was marred by a spate of vandalism in which storewindows were smashed and two cruisers set alight.

About 1,100 people about 600 of them on Fenton's orders weredetained or arrested, many ending up in a widely condemned makeshiftdetention centre.

The 27-year veteran of the force was found guilty last year forordering indiscriminate arrests. Today is day two of hissentencing hearing.Retired justice John Hamilton will sentenceFentonon June 15.

BrautisaidFenton, 56, should be "treated as a first-time offender." He cited Fenton's exemplary record and said his client had to make decisions in the "heat of the moment" under stressfulcircumstances and with little guidance from senior command.

Brauti saidHamilton should consider the lowest end of the penalties available which he said "would achieve all the goals of this hearing."