Ontario watchdog launching new review of police action during G20 summit

A protester is arrested by police following a protest in Toronto  on June 21, 2010.

A protester is arrested by police following a protest in Toronto on June 21, 2010. Kevin Van Paassen/The Globe and Mail

Anna Mehler Paperny

After receiving close to 300 G20 complaints – and counting – Ontario’s newly minted police watchdog is stepping into the policing-inquiry fray.

The Ontario Independent Police Review Director, created last fall to provide civilian oversight into police conduct, announced Thursday afternoon it is launching a systemic review of police conduct during the G20 summit in Toronto.

More than 1,000 people were arrested over a three-day period as protesters clashed with police across the downtown area. More than 700 were charged with nothing more than breach of peace, then released; more than 100 were never charged.

Independent police review director Gerry McNeilly says he’s received more than 275 individual complaints about police conduct during that weekend, with more popping up every day.

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