Lrad

What exactly does $1 billion worth of summit security look like? Most Canadians will never truly know, seeing as the bulk of security efforts will unfold behind the scenes at the G20 summit this month.

But at a “technical briefing” Thursday morning, summit officials offered a snapshot of G20 security on the streets this June 26 and 27.

Hosted by the summit’s RCMP-led Integrated Security Unit, the event was a veritable dog and pony show of law enforcement — quite literally, in some cases, because some demonstrations involved K-9 and horse-mounted units. The phalanx of law enforcement officers included cops on bicycles, cops in riot gear, cops with bomb-defusing robots; security units also demonstrated everything from motorcades to the controversial “sound cannons” or long range acoustic devices (LRADs) that may be used on restive protest crowds. The show of force was both reassuring and disturbing to behold.

Here is a breakdown of what will descend upon Toronto in the coming weeks:

Motorcades: Reports have estimated more than 80 motorcades could be travelling Toronto’s highways during the summit, each of which could involve up to 50 vehicles. In each motorcade, a group of police officers on motorcycles will ride ahead and block off roads; the VIP vehicles will trail closely behind, bookended by police cruisers and more officers on motorbikes.

Crowd control: Const. Wendy Drummond said, “Any interaction police have with demonstrators will be measured, balanced and appropriate to the circumstance at hand.” Crowds that become dangerous will be met with a staged police response.

In a simulation on Thursday, eight police officers on bicycles were the first to respond in the mock scenario, lining up and forming a human barricade. Riot squads marched in next, holding their shields up and forming rows behind the bike unit. Finally, a riot squad on horseback — which will patrol the city 24 hours a day during the summit — came in to reinforce the back row.

If the crowd continues to agitate, the police officers in front will lift their front bicycle wheels and allow riot squads to move to the front lines. At this point, two officers will likely use an LRAD to communicate a warning or message to the crowd.

LRADs: Toronto police have purchased four LRADs for the G20, three of which are “hand-held” models. The larger version can be mounted onto cars or marine vessels.

Security officials say the LRADs will be used as “communication tools” but critics say the devices can also serve as weapons, causing sounds so loud they surpass the normal threshold for pain. To date, the RCMP refuses to endorse the use of LRADs on crowds, citing concerns the acoustical devices may result in hearing damage.

Toronto police say they will only use the LRAD’s high-pitched “alert” function to get a crowd’s attention before broadcasting a message. They say they will only employ the alert function for up to five seconds and will not use it on crowds less than 10 metres away. The LRAD is used by two officers; one straps the device onto his or her chest and the other, a public order commander, speaks into the microphone and determines the sound levels. Police say 24 officers are currently being trained to use the LRADs.

The Emergency Task Force (ETF): This Toronto police task force has eight special weapons teams, including officers trained as negotiators, snipers, sniper spotters and rappelling masters. Some officers are also CBRN-certified, which means they can respond to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. There will also be a marine unit patrolling the lake and equipped with the vehicle-mounted LRAD. Officials would not disclose how many ETF officers will be working at the summit but there are about 100 officers with the task force.

The Ontario Provincial Police Urban Search and Rescue and CORN Response Team: This unit is comprised of about 24 officers, each with specialized training. Among their capabilities are:

• Obstruction removal: Some protesters will use a mechanical contraption called a “direct action device” to lock themselves to trucks, railways and even freighters. A specialized team will be on hand to dislodge and remove them.

• Search and rescue: In the event of large structural collapses, a team (complete with three dog handlers) can conduct rescue missions.

• Hazardous materials response: If a suspicious package is left near the Toronto Stock Exchange, for example, this is the team that will respond. There are two travelling CBRN units equipped with everything from “Level A suits” (fully-encapsulated hazardous materials suits) to $500,000 bomb-disarming robots. The CBRN units also travel with trained chemists and have devices for detecting radiation and testing hazardous materials.

K-9 Units: Toronto Police have 22 dog handlers with 34 Belgian and German Shepherds at their disposal, trained to detect explosives, drugs, firearms and capable of “criminal apprehension.”

Canadian Forces: The army’s G20 contingent will primarily be stationed around Pearson airport, where they will conduct foot patrols. Soldiers will be dressed in full fatigues and armed with rifles for their own protection, according to public affairs officer Captain John-Hugh MacDonald. Soldiers will also conduct surveillance and provide early warning to other law enforcement officials.

EMS and Fire Services: Ambulance buses will be available during the summit to respond to potential mass injuries. These vehicles can hold eight people on stretchers although some stretchers can be converted into seats to accommodate more patients. The bus can also be converted to a field hospital if necessary.

In the event of mass contaminations, like tear gas exposures, EMS will stay in the “cold zone.” Because tear gas can be passed from person to person, victims should be decontaminated prior to entering an ambulance or hospital. The fire department has mobile tents they can set up quickly and will operate in the “hot zone” as first responders to tear gas victims.