Lawyers for complainants want police chief called before G20 hearing
Posted January 12, 2015 11:55 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Lawyers for three complainants involved in a disciplinary hearing for a senior police officer charged over mass arrests during Toronto’s G20 summit are trying to have the city’s police chief called to testify.
The inquiry is probing the actions of Supt. David Fenton, who has pleaded not guilty to five Police Services Act charges regarding conduct stemming from two “kettling” incidents that occurred over the 2010 summit weekend.
Lawyer Sean Dewart says Fenton told the hearing in December that he was just following orders when large groups of people were detained during the meeting of global leaders in Toronto.
Dewart says he wants to test that statement, which is why he wants Toronto police Chief Bill Blair called before the hearing.
A lawyer for Blair is arguing that the police chief has “no relevant information to offer” and is opposing the summons request.
Meanwhile, Fenton’s lawyer says “it’s late in the day” for such a request.
The retired Ontario judge presiding over the hearing now has to determine whether to allow the request.
