OIPRD RELEASES TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR G20 REVIEW

TORONTO, Nov. 4 /CNW/ - The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) today released the Terms of Reference for its review of systemic issues surrounding public complaints against police during the G20 Summit in Toronto. 

"The Terms of Reference set out the framework for a review that 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." 
- Gerry McNeilly, Independent Police Review Director

The review will gather information, review complaints and conduct investigations in order to identify issues arising from policing during the G20.  The review will also consider submissions from stakeholders including public and police organizations invited to participate regarding their views on policing practices during the G20 Summit. 

The OIPRD will prepare a final report summarizing the findings of the review and outlining recommendations that will be released to the public in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

OIPRD FACTS

• The OIPRD is responsible for receiving, managing and overseeing all public complaints against the police in Ontario. This includes Ontario's municipal and regional police services and the Ontario Provincial Police.
• The Police Services Act gives the Independent Police Review Director the power to examine and review issues of a systemic nature that are the subject of, or that give rise to public complaints under the Act.
• Under the Public Inquiries Act, the Director and appointed investigators have the power to summon witnesses and have the ability to require documents to be produced.
• Read the Terms of Reference for the review on www.oiprd.on.ca.

BACKGROUNDER
Office of the Independent Police Review Director

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OIPRD Releases G20 Review Terms of Reference

November 4, 2010

The Office of the Independent Police Review Director has released the following Terms of Reference for its review of systemic issues resulting from the policing of the 2010 G20 Summit in Toronto:

Terms of Reference

Overview

The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) is an independent agency of the Ministry of the Attorney General. It is established under the Police Services Act (Act).

The role of the OIPRD is to maintain the public confidence in police oversight and make sure that public complaints against police in Ontario are dealt with fairly, efficiently and effectively.

Pursuant to s. 57 of the Act, the OIPRD will be conducting a review (Review) of issues of a systemic nature that have been the subject of public complaints pertaining to the policing of the 2010 G-20 Summit in Toronto.

Members of the public have made complaints to the OIPRD regarding the conduct, policies and services of police during the G-20 Summit including allegations of discreditable conduct and unlawful or unnecessary exercise of authority.

Objectives

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. Such issues may include:

• Stops and searches
• Arrests
• Use of force
• Detention centre issues
• Incivility
• Planning and implementation
• Containment policies and practices
• Communication processes, and
• Other issues that may arise or may be identified.

Process

The Review will gather information, review complaints, conduct investigations and invite submissions from key stakeholders, including selected public and police organizations asked to participate, regarding their view on the policing practices employed during the G20 Summit.

The Review will examine and consider:

1. Public complaints filed
2. The overall governance of the planning and implementation of policing the G-20 Summit
3. Procedures, lawful authorities and police policies regarding major protests
4. Police command structure and the overall role of the Integrated Security Unit
5. Operational decision making processes, such as, giving of orders and directions to officers as well as overall supervision
6. Training of officers
7. The operational application of Regulation 233/10 (made under the Public Works Protection Act)
8. Evidence collected, including videos, print and audio media and documents provided by both police and the public, and
9. Written submissions from invited participants.

The OIPRD will prepare a final report summarizing the findings of the Review and outlining recommendations regarding major protests and advice for the overall improvement of police practices in relation to the public complaints system. This final report will be in a form appropriate for release to the public, pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

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www.oiprd.on.ca
Disponible en français

For further information:

Allison Hawkins/Rosemary Parker, [phone]