Police no longer aloud to detain people in Ontario without proper cause.

Police went too far, judge rules

An Ontario court judge has dealt a blow to the Toronto Police Service's "anti-violence intervention strategy" after dismissing criminal charges against a man who was unjustifiably detained by police.

In a written ruling, Justice Carol Brewer said every citizen has the "well-established right" to refuse to answer questions asked by police.

"The police have the authority to stop and question a pedestrian, but not to detain that person, unless the detention is also permitted by law," Brewer wrote. "It is crucial that officers engaged in community-based policing be mindful of the proper scope of their authority."

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[link to www.thestar.com]

Last Edited by Account Deleted by User on 09/08/2011 02:41 AM