Rob Ford says as mayor he would have given police “direction” to move in and arrest G20 vandals during their rampage, sparking criticism that he would have overstepped his authority.

Ford made the remark during a heated exchange with fellow mayoral candidate Sarah Thomson about the violence that saw protesters take over parts of downtown June 26, followed by the largest mass arrests in Canadian history.

Thomson said she supports the police services board’s plan for a review of the response, noting that “only a few (protesters) really did some damage.

“It’s very hard to control that, but as well we’ve got to remember the police made some mistakes, too, and they should be held accountable so they can learn from their mistakes,” she said, drawing an immediate rebuke from Ford.

“Either you support the police or you don’t support the police here,” the Etobicoke councillor said. “This is black or white. I support the police,” he said, accusing Thomson of “sticking up for the protesters.

“If I was the mayor I would have told the chief — and I’m not going to control the police force whatsoever — but I would have said to police Chief (Bill) Blair, ‘Sir, please move in on Saturday night.’ ”

George Smitherman jumped in to ask if he thinks the mayor should “direct the police.” Under Toronto’s system, the mayor can’t direct the chief on operational matters.

Ford responded: “No, I don’t, but on Saturday night I think we should give them direction. We should ask Chief Blair to say ‘Go move in.’ ”

Rocco Rossi, one of the first candidates to call for a probe after the traumatic weekend, said he is satisfied with the police services board review, which will be headed by an outsider.

“I think that the police did as good a job as they could under very difficult circumstances,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone called the G20 weekend a “bad dream” for Toronto, but urged the many critics of police conduct to let the review process unfold, and to use the police complaints mechanism if they feel they were treated unfairly.

For much of the debate — the first without Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti, who has dropped out of the race — the guns were pointed squarely at Ford, who the polls say has surged into a dead heat with Smitherman.

Ford has a simple message — cut spending at city hall and improve customer service — but has yet to release any kind of detailed budget blueprint.

“Will you begin today to be more transparent, release your campaign platform and show us the service cuts?” Smitherman asked.

Ford made no apologies for saying he’ll make tough cuts to the city’s $9.2 billion operating budget.

“Yes I will be cutting the wasteful spending at city hall, George. I will not be going to $12,000 retirement parties for Kyle Rae,” he said, taking a shot at Smitherman, who was at the taxpayer-funded party.

Ford said as mayor he’ll prevent the kind of expenditures he has criticized as councillor.

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Thomson took aim at Ford, accusing him of wandering away from city council meetings and returning only to vote. She also accused him of being a part-time councillor. Ford has continued to work at his family’s multi-million-dollar label-and-tag business during his decade as councillor.

“You skip out to your other job and you take your fat paycheque with you. I’m tired of that,” Thomson said.

Ford shot back that Thomson is “a nice lady, but you have zero political experience.”