Protests and Demonstrations

Question 1

Protests

Supervision

• Supervisory Officer attendance mandatory when _____
• Officer in Charge notification mandatory when _____

Answer 1

1. a protest or demonstration is in progress.
2. a protest or demonstration is in progress or is about to take place

Question 2

Protests - Police Officer

1. Upon receiving information that a protest or demonstration is in progress or is about to take place shall
   * notify the communications operator of the
    location
    size, temperament and composition of crowd
    reason for assembly
    need for immediate assistance
   * confirm with communications operator that _____
   * notify _____
2. Upon arrival at the scene of a protest or demonstration shall
   * become familiar with the circumstances surrounding the incident
   * prevent any breach of the peace
   * ensure persons and vehicles have access to the premises concerned and are not intimidated or interfered with
   * maintain a position of impartiality in dealing with all parties involved

Answer 2

1. a supervisory officer is attending
2. the Officer in Charge of the division concerned

Question 3

Citizens have the legal right to demonstrate peacefully. However, they are not entitled to infringe on the rights of land owners in the lawful use and enjoyment of their property. The role of the police at these types of incidents must be one of complete neutrality and action should not be taken until the situation has been carefully assessed. Police officers should only become involved at protests and demonstrations when there is a _____ or a _____, or when there is strong suspicion that such a _____ may occur.

Answer 3

1. breach of the peace
2. violation of provincial and/or federal law
3. breach or violation

Question 4

Protests - Supervisory Officer

3. Upon receiving notification of a protest or demonstration in progress shall
   * _____
   * advise _____
   * detail a sufficient number of police officers to the scene
   * emphasize to personnel assigned the need to act in an impartial manner
4. Upon receiving information that a potentially violent protest or demonstration is to take place shall
   * arrange to have additional personnel on standby in the vicinity, but out of view of the protest or demonstration
   * consider requesting the attendance of the use of
    _____
    _____

Answer 4

1. proceed to the scene and assess the situation
2. the Officer in Charge
3. Emergency Management & Public Order (EM&PO)
4. Emergency Management & Public Order – Mounted

Question 5

Protests - Officer in Charge

5. Upon receiving notification of a protest or planned demonstration shall ensure
   * _____
   * _____ is aware of the situation
   * _____ has been notified
   * the applicable eReport numbers are forwarded to Corporate Communications, as soon as possible
6. In the event of a violent demonstration or protest, and in the absence of the _____, shall notify _____.
7. In the event of a major protest or demonstration that may entail the use of a large number of police officers shall notify _____.

Answer 5

1. a supervisory officer attends the scene
2. the Unit Commander
3. Corporate Communications
4. Unit Commander, the Officer in Charge – Toronto Police Operations Centre
5. the Staff Superintendent – East Field / West Field