OIPRD To Conduct Review Of G20 Police Complaints

Review To Be Thorough, Efficient And Fair To Public And Police

TORONTO, July 22 /CNW/ -

NEWS

The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) is conducting a review of issues surrounding public complaints against police during the G20 Summit in Toronto.

The OIPRD has a mandate to provide an efficient and effective police complaints oversight system. The Director has determined that it is in the public interest to combine a number of G20 complaints and conduct a review of a systemic nature in accordance with Section 57 of the Police Services Act. Such a review would provide the most effective and complete investigation into the issues.

The review will examine the systemic issues related to allegations of unlawful searches, unlawful arrests, improper detention and issues related to the temporary holding facility during the G20. It will provide recommendations to address issues of a systemic nature for the overall improvement of police practices. A final report will be released to the public in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

QUOTES

"The review will investigate common issues arising from complaints against police during the G20 Summit. I can ensure that these issues are investigated thoroughly and in a way that is accountable, transparent, efficient and fair to both the public and the police."

    
    - Gerry McNeilly, Independent Police Review Director
    

QUICK FACTS

    
    -  The OIPRD has received approximately 275 complaints in relation to
       incidents during the G20 Summit in Toronto.
    -  The Independent Police Review Director and appointed OIPRD
       investigators will conduct the investigation for the review.
    -  The OIPRD has jurisdiction over complaints filed against Ontario's
       municipal and regional police services and the Ontario Provincial
       Police.
    

LEARN MORE

Visit the OIPRD website (https://www.oiprd.on.ca/cms/) to learn more about the public complaints system.

Read the Independent Police Review Act

(www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90p15_e.htm)

    
                                 BACKGROUNDER
               Office of the Independent Police Review Director
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               OIPRD To Conduct Review Of G20 Police Complaints

                                                                July 22, 2010
    

The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) is an arms-length agency of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, 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. Complaints may be about the services or policies of a police department, or they may be about the conduct of a specific officer or officers.

Powers for systemic reviews

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. The Act also gives the Director the power to make recommendations to police services regarding systemic issues.

Scope of G20 review

The OIPRD review will investigate common issues in relation to complaints against police during the G20 Summit. These include issues related to allegations of unlawful searches, unlawful arrests, improper detention and issues related to the temporary holding facility during the G20.

Review process

The Independent Police Review Director and appointed OIPRD investigators will conduct the investigation for the review. 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. The Public Inquiries Act also provides witnesses with protection against self incrimination.

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

    
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                                                              www.oiprd.on.ca
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For further information: Allison Hawkins, Communications Branch, [phone]