CALGARY (CP) - Police providing security at the coming G-8 Summit in Kananaskis, Alta., are battling distrust between themselves and many Canadian protesters. RCMP and Calgary police were confronted Thursday by angry activists and students at the University of Calgary who claim police don't have a good track record for security tactics during protests.
"We simply do not trust you," Grant Newfeld told an information meeting between police and students.
"We're not interested in negotiating with the police until they bring forward apologies for . . . the lies when organizing other protests."
It's a message that RCMP Sgt. Mike O'Rielly frequently hears from activists.
"I've heard this all across Canada," O'Rielly said after the meeting.
"But we have got to continue reaching out and work with people who are going to be protesting."
A few activists who are planning to protest at the summit demanded apologies from police for "misguided" security at the G-21 finance ministers' meeting held in Ottawa last November as well as the 1997 APEC meeting in Vancouver.
But O'Rielly and Calgary police Insp. John Middleton-Hope pointed out the students and activists weren't even at those demonstrations.
"I'm not in a position to make those apologies," Middleton-Hope told about 100 students. He then pleaded with them to communicate with G-8 security forces.
"What have you got to lose, quite honestly, from engaging with police services?" he asked. "Absolutely, the worst-case scenario is that you don't get what you want and things will be the same."
University student Joe Nelson thought of harsher repercussions.
"Or, we'll get put in jail," he shouted from the crowd. "Really, you can arrest them all and there won't be any protest."
RCMP and Calgary police have spent several months planning security for the summit with the aim of safeguarding world leaders and nearby communities, particularly Calgary.
"We are planning for the very worst that we can imagine right now," O'Rielly said. "But we would like to have some dialogue with those who will be protesting."
Police will be armed with pepper spray and guns during G-8 demonstrations, but both will only be used as a last resort, O'Rielly said.
University student Ana Lukatela told police she is concerned that G-8 security will arbitrarily use pepper spray on protesters and argued that innocent activists were sprayed at Vancouver's APEC meetings.
O'Rielly countered that RCMP policy on the use of pepper spray has changed.
"It is not something that is utilized lightly," he said. "You don't go around just wildly firing this stuff around. It's used when you have no other option, when talk doesn't work."
Middleton-Hope pointed out police providing security at demonstrations have to protect everyone - including themselves.
"We are not there to protect the interest of the government," he said. "Our responsibility is to ensure the safety of the delegates, the community, protesters and police officers."
O'Rielly couldn't tell students and activists exactly what police are planning if G-8 protests turn unruly. Plans, he said, are fluid because police don't know what to expect.
But police have to try to work out a plan with activists, even if there is mistrust.
"How are we going to come up with some system of dealing with conflict resolution, conflict reduction?" he asked. "Because what we are dealing with now is a recipe that is potentially leading up to another confrontation. I'd like to prevent it."
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