Video of an Ontario Provincial Police officer using his cruiser as a glorified photo booth for some protesters in downtown Ottawa has a resident who took the video questioning whether police are taking the protests seriously.
Some Ottawa residents have been critical of police and all levels of governments for their handling of the protest as it enters its third weekend with no end in sight.
"That's a real misjudgment and it brings into question how seriously the police are actually taking this. It's one thing to be civil to the protesters. It's another thing to indulge them in pranks and antics," said the person who took the video. "Basically turning the cop car into a big joke."
The person, who CBC is not naming because of concerns for their safety and doxxing — the practice of posting someone's personal information online — said he was walking along Metcalfe Street in Ottawa on Thursday when he witnessed multiple protesters "using the police cruiser as a photo booth," with others taking photos.
He said it was clear the people were protesters since one had the words "Freedom Convoy 2022" on the back of his shirt.
At one point on the tape, a loud horn could be heard in the background, prompting the officer to say "I hope they're not honking at me thinking I've arrested you or something."
"There's a difference between being civil and appearing as though you're sympathizing," the person videoing told CBC.
In a statement, the OPP said it is aware of the video and that all members have been reminded of their professional obligations.
"As part of their duties and interactions with the public, frontline OPP officers are encouraged to balance the professionalism required to ensure public safety in various community settings while having the discretion to be appropriately friendly or approachable," OPP wrote.
'Not rolling out a welcome mat'
"I know this [video] may be perceived, and especially by downtown residents, as the police are on [protesters'] side," said Joao Velloso, a law professor at the University of Ottawa who has been studying the protest. But he said that, from the beginning, officers have been given orders to contain the situation without intervening.
"It is an occupation, a long-term occupation," he said, adding that, whether right or wrong, police have been consistent in trying to negotiate with the protesters to decrease the size of the occupation.
"It's not like rolling a welcome mat for them," he said. "You can have the community approach. You can interact, you can be civil and you can still trace firm lines."
Argentina v Australia live: Score and latest updates from the Rugby Championship 2022
The number of people suspected of having dementia who are undergoing assessments in order to get a diagnosis has halved since the pandemic, official figures show.
The popular messaging app Telegram had to remove a new feature called Telemoji at Apple's insistence to get its latest update posted in the App Store.
No one was injured when the two Delta Airlines planes collided at low-speed on Friday night, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which said it is investigating, the Boston Globe reported. A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Port Authority described the collision as minor, but added it had the ability to cause damage that could keep planes out of service. A spokesperson for Delta said customers and crew deplaned and were scheduled to be accommodated by different aircraft.
Liz Truss could strip the planned £400 energy bills discount from “high earners”, The Telegraph can disclose.
The Indian-born British author sustained injuries to his eye, arm and liver in the attack on Friday.
Erik ten Hag’s side trailed 4-0 at half-time of their Premier League match against the Bees.
Erik ten Hag’s side were thrashed by Brentford having already lost their opening fixture to Brighton
De Gea mistake sparks a rout United concede four in 25 first-half minutes Superb Brentford bully Manchster United 'It's like a men's team vs Under-9s,' says Gary Neville
The man suspected of attacking author Salman Rushdie is remanded without bail after a court appearance.
A gun was fired inside the club before more shots rang out in the parking lot.
“This is the very early stage of what will invariably be a protracted legal process,” DA says
A loud ‘boom’ sound caused by a meteor was heard across northern Utah and southern Idaho on Saturday morning, August 13, the National Weather Service said.This home-security footage from David Church captured the meteor’s sound as he and a woman were entering the house in Salt Lake City’s Sugar House neighborhood. “What the f*** was that,” the woman says, startled.Church said the video “doesn’t quite do it justice, as there was a low rumble for another 5 to 10 seconds after the initial boom.”The National Weather Service later published a satellite image depicting two flashes that it said were “likely” to be the meteor’s trail or flash. Credit: David Church via Storyful
Erik ten Hag’s side trailed 4-0 at half-time of their Premier League match against the Bees
LONDON (AP) — Manchester United plumbed new depths with a 4-0 loss at Brentford on Saturday to send Erik ten Hag’s team into meltdown after just two games of the Premier League season. Through a mixture of defensive ineptitude and Brentford's opportunism, United was 4-0 down at halftime for the first time in a Premier League game. Mistakes by goalkeeper David De Gea gifted the first two goals to Josh Dasilva and Mathias Jensen, Ben Mee nodded in the third at a corner and Bryan Mbeumo hit a slick
The Chiefs safety was fired up about getting to attempt an extra point in Saturday’s preseason game.
The upgrade to Monero's protocol, a collaborative effort involving 71 developers, has been successfully implemented.
Pair will travel to Turkey and Italy for the ITV2 programme
Norway's beloved Freya the walrus could be put down due to health and safety risks, the country's Directorate of Fisheries warned on Thursday.
The Allspicery, which has been open since 2016, has faced plenty of challenges over the years.