Tim Burrows from the Integrated Security Unit says that 32 people have been arrested in connection to the G20 so far, and 51 charges have been laid. But police have not been forthcoming with details.
When asked for details of the arrest of a deaf man at Friday night's demonstration, Burrows said he had neither a name or the charges.
"Very rarely do we ever release information unless it's a major arrest, major charges, big investigation or something like that," he said. "That's our standard practice. This guy was arrested last night, there's nothing major about it. we'd never put a release out about that."
And yet, the police regularly release information about minor incidents, ranging from lost property to suspicious behaviour. Surely, the arrest of Toronto citizens exercising their right to protest during a major international event warrents some transparency?
Here is a selection of releases I've been emailed by police over the last month. I would say they are all less impactful than the security protocol surrounding the G20. But maybe that's just me.
June 18: "Police request assistance in regards to recently found urn, Update, Police have located family friend"
June 18: Public Safety Alert, Safe internet pactices for children
"Recently, there has been a rash of investigations involving children who have engaged in online communication with other kids via social networking sites and various chat programs. Although the internet and various the social media have created another medium for youngsters to communicate, some kids are making bad decisions about what type of personal information they share and who they share it with."
And this is my favourite:
June 17: Public Safety Alert, Suspicious man
"It is reported that: - a man has been approaching women in these parks, attempting to start conversations with them, while not criminal in nature, the conversations have generally consisted of the women's physical characteristics, asking them their names or invitations to attend restaurants."
So teenagers sending sext messages, a lost urn and some guy trying to pick up Toronto women are worthy of police updates, but details of arrests made during the G20, when police have been given huge powers, aren't worth releasing?