Put lying cops on the stand and make them do it for the record

Not that it should take the focus off Harper and McGuinty, who bear just as much culpability as municipal officials for the abuses that took place at last summer's G20, but Rosie DiManno's got an idea about the 11 cops who, incredibly, can't identify the asshole who broke Dorian Barton's arm.

Let's review: Dorian Barton wasn't protesting or demonstrating, not that there's anything wrong with that, but simply taking pictures in a designated protest zone (and there's plenty wrong with that, but we'll leave it alone for now). He was slammed, from behind, by a cop with a riot shield and a baton. Eleven other cops on duty with the SOB have told the SIU they can't identify him.

And even though this asshole's name and badge number have been provided to the SIU, he still hasn't been charged. In an ideal world, this guy would be bunking with Babak Andalib-Goortani and figuring out who gets to be on top.

From the Star this evening:

I want a prosecutor to call all 11 witness officers to the stand so they can be asked, under oath, if they recognize the defendant as the person who struck Barton. I want to hear them, one by one, deny it. I want their names on the public record.

Not to keep beating that particular rented mule, but the futility of waiting for an institutional response and the desirability of holding people like this up for the public scorn they deserve has been one of this little corner's hobby horses for months.

Not a bad idea, Rosie, but I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

Related posts:

• On CBC, a further demonstration of Toronto cops' contempt for us
• Toronto Police: Unaccountable, uncaring, unbelievable
• The Blue Wall is a threat to public safety
• Payback's a bitch, isn't it ... Officer ...
• More on police brutality during the G20, and institutional response
• When public institutions fail us