Evidence of meeting #44 for Public Safety and National Security in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was summits.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Mr. Adams, on what grounds is it your understanding that police officers are legally entitled to stop, question, and search an individual in a public place?
Superintendent, Peel Regional Police
Our officers understand.... As far as an individual's rights, they're well aware of what their rights are under the charter. Our officers, once again, sir, are trained that right from the first day of Ontario Police College.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
So you'd agree with me that officers do not have an unconditional right to stop someone in a public place and detain them?
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
You heard the question from Mr. Leitold. I want to pose that question to you on his behalf. What were front-line officers told--the Peel Regional Police officers--of the legal limits of their powers to stop and search people in the G-20?
Superintendent, Peel Regional Police
That didn't change from what their normal daily duties were, sir.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
I presume they would have been instructed that they can only stop and detain someone and search them if they have lawful or reasonable grounds, whatever those may be?
Superintendent, Peel Regional Police
That's part of their training, sir, yes.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Mr. Leitold, you also stated, I think, that protesters were targeted simply for having legal support phone numbers on their person. Is that correct?
Member, Movement Defence Committee of the Law Union of Ontario
Those are reports that we've received. Our submission to this committee is a synthesis of legal observer reports and reports received by members of our committee.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Okay.
Back to you, Mr. Adams. Do the Peel Regional Police engage in any activities to educate the public about their rights and responsibilities when dealing with law enforcement individuals?
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Do you have any activities that sort of educate the public community at large about that?
Superintendent, Peel Regional Police
As far as educating the public? As far as the G-8 and G-20, we had a community relations group in relation to the summits, but as far as what their rights are, not as a general program, no. When we deal with them, they're dealt with professionally and with courtesy, as far as their rights.
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Now, you would agree with me that simply possessing a document that just outlines your constitutional rights or your legal rights would not be grounds upon which a police officer would make any negative assumption or arrest that person?
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
A person just simply having a constitutional document on them, a know-your-rights card, would not be a reason for any officer in your detachment to make any negative assumption about that person, would it?
NDP
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Okay.
By the way, is it a requirement of your force, sir, that Peel Regional Police officers are required to display their names and badge numbers when they're dealing with the public?
Superintendent, Peel Regional Police
With our organization it's your epaulettes. You'd find it up here on the shoulders. They have to have their epaulettes on their most outer gear. So in the winter-time it would be on your winter parka. In the summer-time, if you're just wearing a shirt, it would be on your shirt.
Superintendent, Peel Regional Police
That's just your badge number. As a senior officer, we have name tags, but our constables have their badge numbers.
Don Davies NDP Vancouver Kingsway, BC
I take it that would be a violation of your departmental policy if an officer were to cover that up when they're out dealing with the public.
Superintendent, Peel Regional Police
Yes, it is. Our procedures clearly indicate you are to wear your epaulettes.