An independent observer group monitoring the G8 protest said they witnessed a "dramatic improvement in police behaviour" since the G20 protests.
But the group also said they were concerned about the "overwhelming force" used to evict squatters from 246 Gilmour St. on July 3, and the "kilometres and kilometres of videotape" police amassed during the protests.
The concerns were tabled in a report by the Witness Group at the First United Church on Kent Street last night.
The group, which formed in June to "audit" police activities, praised the generally restrained tactics of Ottawa police Major Events Liaison Team (MELT), but found some police actions "really quite troubling and disturbing."
Witness Bob Stevenson said the relative success of the protests were marred by the unnecessary force and pepper spray used in the eviction.
Other members thought non-violent tactics, such as videotaping, were equally damaging.
"Citizens' right to privacy and peaceful assembly is really called into question by the quantity of videotape," said witness Elizabeth Ballard.
The report stated the constant videotaping "provoked and intimidated" the crowd and questioned whether material may be shared with other police or intelligence forces.
Identification was another issue, as witnesses estimated up to 30 per cent of officers had no visible identification.
The 35-member group of Quakers, Unitarians and members of the Citizen's Panel came together after concerns about police behaviour during the G20 protests last November.
The group hopes to monitor future events.
"We suspect that if this is a one-shot effort on our part, there will be some sliding back in terms of police culture," said group member Paul Durber.
Protesters have appreciated their efforts. "It's a form of security," said Evan Dalrymple, who was pepper sprayed in the eviction. "They give an unbiased and neutral opinion, so people believe them."
The report has been shared with the tactical unit, protesters, city council members and the police services board.
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