Criticism of policing 2010 G20 Toronto summit protests

police allowed arrest within 5 metres of fence neither leave nor identify himself.

a group of lawyers requested court injunctions against toronto police service using newly purchased long range acoustic devices (lrad), known sound cannons, during protests. sound cannons have been used in previous summit protests , have ability produce sound @ ear-piercing volumes, potentially causing hearing impairment. ontario superior court of justice later ruled officers can use sound cannons, few restrictions.

the toronto star reported executive council of ontario had implemented regulation under provincial public works protection act on june 2 granting isu sweeping powers of arrest within specific boundary during summit; rule said designate security fence public works and, such, allow police officer or guard arrest individual failing or refusing provide identification within 5 metres of security zone. regulation requested toronto police service chief bill blair , debate in legislature not required. orders in council such 1 announced in ontario gazette, next issue of publication published after order expired on june 28, week after summit ended. new law came light after york university graduate student, claimed have been exploring security zone did not provide identification when confronted police, arrested on june 24 under regulation. later vowed file lawsuit against law once summit ended. cabinet later confirmed new laws not special powers , believed have been arrested under public works , protection act in fact arrested under criminal code. police chief later admitted that, despite media coverage, no such five-metre rule ever existed in law.