2012-01-22
Kevin Misener, Charlene Close
Toronto police chief Bill Blair has said he won’t rush to charge five of his officers linked to the arrest of a G20 protester despite a recommendation from the province’s police complaints watchdog.
A report from the director of the Independent Police Review recommends the five be charged with unnecessary use of force and discreditable conduct, related to the beating of protester Adam Nobody.
The report does say it was a legitimate arrest because Nobody threatened the officers. However, it takes issue with his treatment after the arrest. He suffered a broken nose and cheekbone. There’s video of him being punched and kicked.
Chief Blair said a couple of steps have to take place before any charges are laid.
“There will be further investigation after we receive the investigative file,” Blair said. “The process of disclipine requires that a hearing be held. We have just received the notification. We have not received the investigative file and the next step, in my opinion, is completing that investigative file and bringing it before the board. I don’t have a timetable for that.”
“We’ll have to go before the (police services) board, if it’s appropriate, to seek permission from the board to serve a notice of hearing and then a hearing will be held,” Blair explained.
The charges would be disciplinary related to the police officers’ jobs, not criminal charges.
The Special Investigations Unit only ever charged one officer in the case.