More details expected on G20-related police charges
Toronto police are expected to release more details on Friday after announcing that as many as 28 officers will face charges in the wake of a scathing report on police action at the G20 summit.
The charges, all issued under the Police Act, are related to alleged misconduct during the June 2010 summit protests including unlawful arrests and the use of unnecessary force when dealing with the public.
At least two of the charges will be laid against senior officers, CTV News has learned.
The charges follow the release of a report by Ontario's police watchdog Gerry McNeilly, head of the Officer of the Independent Police Review Director.
His report found that some police overstepped their authority, unlawfully detained protestors and violated basic civil rights.
The report was also critical of the level of force used by officers as they tried to control crowds.
After the report was released, Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair said he would hold officers accountable for their actions if they were found guilty of misconduct during upcoming police tribunal hearings.
The tribunals will be open to the public, the first of which will be held on the second floor of Toronto Police Headquarters on Tuesday, June 19 at 9 a.m.
Toronto Coun. Adam Vaughan, who is a past member of the Toronto Police Services Board and whose downtown riding was the site of many of the protests, told CTV News that the charges are not unexpected.
"I think the police chief, the police service board, myself included, all played a role in this," Vaughan said. "I think we need to have public accounting and, where necessary, be brought before courts of justice, or disciplinary action, where we failed to protect the public and the city."
Toronto police released the names and charges of eight officers on Thursday, with more names expected to be released on Friday.
Charged are:
- Const. Vincent Wong, Unlawful arrest of "J.W." (Sunday, June 27, 10 a.m. at Yonge Street and Gerrard Avenue)
- Const. Blair Begbie, Unlawful arrest of "J.W." (June 27, 10 a.m. at Yonge Street and Gerrard Avenue)
- Const. Alan Li, Unlawful arrest of "A.S." (June 27, 4 p.m., Bloor Street West and Huron Street)
- Const. Donald Stratton, Unlawful arrest of "A.S." (June 27, Bloor Street West and Huron Street)
- Const. Michael Kirpoff, Unnecessary force on prisoner "J.M." (June 27, Queen Street West and Spadina Avenue)
- Const. Ryan Simpson, Unlawful arrest of cyclist "N.W." (June 27, Bloor Street and Spadina Avenue)
- Const. Jason Crawford, Unlawful arrest of "N.W." (June 27)
- Const. Michael Martinez ,Unnecessary force on prisoner "J.R." (Saturday, June 26, Novotel Hotel)
If the officers in question are found guilty, discipline could range from docked hours to dismissal.
More details expected on G20-related police charges | CTV Toronto