Siri Agrell
The Ottawa Citizen
Thursday, May 30, 2002

Police have created a special unit to deal with public concerns about their conduct at large protests and demonstrations.

At a public meeting Tuesday night, officers from the Major Events Liaison Team met with people upset with their treatment by police during last November's G20 summit and worried about protests connected to the upcoming G8 summit on June 26 and 27.

"A large number of people came away from the G20 feeling very angry and very hurt," said Rev. Sharon Moon, who hosted the meeting at the First United Church on Kent Street.

Deputy police Chief Larry Hill acknowledged the group's concerns and outlined the new Agenda for Excellence that defines proper police conduct during large events.

"This is a statement that we can do better when policing major events in Ottawa," Deputy Chief Hill told about 25 people.

His comments, and the creation of the special unit, are responses to complaints gathered by the Citizen's Panel, a group that has conducted an unofficial inquiry into police behaviour during last November's protests.

After taking statements from almost 70 people who attended the protests, they compiled a series of demands for police behaviour at the next summit, including the proper identification of officers and a promise that K9 units will not be used to control crowds.

They would also like police to accept and respect the presence of "accompaniers" or impartial observers who would monitor police conduct.

Rev. Moon thanked police for hosting the public meetings, which will be held every Tuesday until the G8, and for creating the special unit and agenda of excellence.

She doesn't think police have done enough to protect the rights of people who gather to express dissent.

Nor have they made up for "unacceptable" police behaviour at the last major protest. "We want an acknowledgement of what happened to demonstrators," said Rev. Moon. "We need to know that the words on this agenda are more than just words -- that they are driving the behaviour of the police."

While Deputy Chief Hill did not apologize or attempt to explain police action at November's protests, he did acknowledge that public trust of police has been affected.

"We live in a society of quick fixes, but this is not a quick fix," he said. "But we're committed to rebuilding trust."

Although no concrete conclusions were drawn, protesters and police did agree on one thing, that they don't understand each other's behaviour.

"I think there's a real lack of understanding," Deputy Chief Hill told the group. "You don't understand the things we do in the course of making an arrest. And I think we don't really understand the passion behind these protests."

The two groups will try to achieve deeper understanding at future meetings held at Assembly Hall at Lansdowne Park on June 4, 11, 18 and 25.

Anyone who wishes to contact the Major Events Liaison Team can call 236-1212, extension 5471 or e-mail openlines@ottawapolice.ca.