Weekend fracas generates 3 complaints of police abuse

Three people have officially lodged brutality complaints with the Calgary Police Service after anti-racism demonstrators clashed with the Aryan Guard on the weekend.

About 50 officers tried to form a line between the two groups during demonstrations on Saturday, but violence ensued when people on both sides threw bottles, rocks and signs. No one was seriously injured.

Three people one from the neo-Nazi Aryan Guard and two from the anti-racism demonstrators were arrested at the rallies.

One was taken into custody for an outstanding warrant, while two were apprehended for breach of peace for trying to break through the police line, police spokesman Kevin Brookwell said Monday.

"There absolutely was conflict between the protesters and the officers," Brookwell said. "If people feel that they have been the subject of police brutality, we have a process in place for a professional standards... section. They can go down, they can lay the complaint."

'Sometimes effecting those arrests can incite the crowd even worse than what it is, so we have to show a lot of patience and a lot of tolerance.' Kevin Brookwell, Calgary Police Service

Brookwell said three people contacted the force on Monday two by phone, and one via email to complain about police mistreatment.

"There is a process in place for that, and if you feel you have been victimized, then certainly exercise that right," he told reporters.

Investigators are reviewing videotape of Saturday's confrontation to seewhether they can identify the people who threw projectiles into the crowd. Brookwell acknowledged police could have made more arrests that day.

"Sometimes effecting those arrests can incite the crowd even worse than what it is, so we have to show a lot of patience and a lot of tolerance," he said.

No extra policing costs

More than 400 people supporting the Calgary chapter of the group Anti-Racist Action were commemorating the United Nations-sponsored International Day to Eliminate Racial Discrimination on Saturday, while about 50 members of the Aryan Guard were marching to mark "White Pride World Day."

Police met with both groups beforehand to warn them that while they all had the right to free speech, officers would not tolerate violence or any criminal offences.

"We were aware that there was likely going to be a confrontation. These groups have met in the past," Brookwell said.

In October 2007, assault charges were laid after members of a white supremacist group protesting a decision to allow veiled voting faced off against anti-racism demonstrators outside Calgary city hall.

After violence flared on Saturday, police called in an additional 50 on-duty officers from outlying districts for backup.

"They were working. It was part of their regular weekly shift. They just, instead of working early in the week, we ensured that their day shift also included this Saturday," Brookwell explained.

The Calgary force also did not run up extra costs during former U.S. president George W.Bush's visit to the city to give a private speech last week. Tactical, traffic and crowd-control officers were scheduled for regular duty at the time.

The cost of Bush's personal security was the responsibility of the RCMP.