He said “I’m sorry.”

And afterwards, the head of Toronto’s police board, Alok Mukherjee, returned to take his seat as chair, a position he had momentarily vacated at Thursday’s board meeting to deliver his apology for police conduct during the G20 Summit in June 2010.

It marked the end of any speculation that he might resign in light of the civilian review by retired judge John Morden, which pointed a finger at the board for its lack of oversight of police operations at the summit.

“In general, policing services must be provided within a framework of respect for Charter and human rights,” Mukherjee read from a prepared statement. “During the G20 Summit, we did not always see this kind of policing.

“For that I am sorry; I am sorry for any part I may have played advertently or inadvertently; and I extend a very personal apology to those who, though innocent and engaged in lawful and peaceful activities, suffered as a result of the transgressions and failures.”

When asked if he thought Police Chief Bill Blair should have apologized as well, the chair said “I made a personal decision, only my decision.”

John Sewell, head of the Toronto Police Accountability Coalition, called for Mukherjee’s resignation and placed the blame for G20 failures on his shoulders.

“The current chair should resign or be dismissed and a chair be elected who will deal with operation policies at the police service,” suggested Sewell, a former mayor of Toronto.

Instead, the meeting, which began with a moment of silence to honour the recent shooting victims, continued. The board went on to adopt a number of the recommendations in Morden’s report and to form a working group on others that have yet to be implemented.

Councillor Pam McConnell (Toronto Centre, Rosedale), who was chair of the board from 2004 to 2005 and vice-chair from 2005 to 2010, urged the board to accept the recommendations.

McConnell said the G20 summit was an extraordinary challenge for the chief of police, the service and the board. As well, she said, “I don’t underestimate the impact that it had on our residents and our businesses.”

“We did as well as we could, and I want to say that’s it’s due to the chief that it’s remarkable that we got as much planning as we did,” said McConnell. The board was presented with the 2010 June summit as a fait accompli in only February.

Perhaps the biggest irony is that, after being critiqued for its lack of oversight, the board was left out of a top-level meeting scheduled Monday to address the recent gun violence.

Its vice chair, Councillor Michael Thompson (Ward 37, Scarborough Centre) said the board should be at the political table and involved in the discussion, which is to include the premier, Blair and Mayor Rob Ford — especially in light of the Morden report.

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“I think it’s evident, based on reading the recommendations, the board should be involved in the discussions,” Thompson said. Other members agreed, and the board will notify the premier that a representative will attend.

Asked later if he had considered quitting even for a moment, Mukherjee said: “I did not consider resigning, and I don’t consider it now.”

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