The lack of police on the streets of Ottawa, where the demonstration of truckers against sanitary measures has been taking place for 10 days now, raises eyebrows for ex-SPVM investigator André Durocher, who says he does not understand what could have happened. pass through the national capital.
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According to him, the Ottawa police could have acted ahead of the demonstration to prevent any slippage, or state of siege, but nothing seems to have been planned.
“We gave them the keys to the house, we abdicated from the start, he explained in an interview with TVA Nouvelles at noon. We let the trucks invade and take over the space! We let people build makeshift camps, bring in supplies!”
Journalist Michel Jean, who was there over the weekend, and who has covered many protests during his career, was also struck by the lack of police visibility.
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw that. Looks like there is improvisation! We feared even in the worst scenario, even if it was unlikely, an invasion like in the Capitol. I feel like they build the plane in flight and adjust as they go. Normally, we prepare for the worst-case scenario,” assures Mr. Durocher.
The ex-Service de police de la Ville de Montréal even goes so far as to say that the situation is humiliating in the police community.
Have the officers and management of the Ottawa Police Service been given political instructions to avoid confrontation? This aspect is not excluded.
“Were they told to let it ventilate [les manifestants]? I’m speculating, I can’t say for certain.
He returns in particular to this scene where a citizen of Ottawa completely exceeded verbally attacked the demonstrators.
“He did this for a few minutes, and we never saw a policeman present. I can not believe it. I can’t wait to see this matter cleared up, because I’m having a hard time understanding it.”
On Monday, while the protest was still going on, the police seemed to be a little outnumbered.
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Reference-www.journaldemontreal.com