Eli al-Chadiri said police expected more escort protests in the future and a viable solution must be found.
	The protesters arrived on Friday afternoon as part of the “Rolling Thunder” rally, organized by Freedom Fighters Canada, a group dedicated to speaking out against COVID-19 orders.
	El-Chadiri said police, including officers brought in from outside the capital, were prepared for any eventuality and had information about the cyclists and their plans. 
	But less was known about the intentions of other protesters who were not members of the main group who arrived in trucks, large platforms, cars and caravans.
	“This team – we do not know who is who,” al-Chadiri said in an interview.
	The relatively peaceful protest could have escalated if the officers were not so well prepared, he said.
	“It could have gone easily the other way around,” he said.  “Many people were barred from entering the city center in their vehicles.”
	Ottawa police called in more than 800 reinforcements from the RCMP and other forces to help, including blocking freeway and downtown exits in the city center to prevent the formation of a camp. 
	Public Security Secretary Marco Mendicino thanked police, including the RCMP, “for their decisive and effective response to the events in Ottawa over the weekend.”
	“Police have learned lessons from last winter and taken the necessary precautions to maintain public safety,” he told the Canadian press. 
	El-Chandiri said police also had rapid reaction teams on standby.  Police with riot shields were deployed on Friday night in downtown Ottawa.
	The chairman of the police council, which oversees the police service, said he was briefed by interim chief Steve Bell.
	Bell was not available for an interview on Monday.
	Over the weekend, 10 people were arrested, including seven who had taken part in previous Freedom Convoy demonstrations and violated court orders barring them from returning to Ottawa, al-Chadiri said. 
	Ottawa police said in a statement that the arrests involved a number of penal offenses, including breach of contract, assault on police and rioting.
	The announcement added that all traffic restrictions have been lifted, including the blocked streets in the city center. 
	Otava police raised classes from demonstrations in February, when crowds of protesters opposed to public health measures for Covid-19 and the federal government drowned the streets of Ottawa for weeks, the chairman of the Board said. 
	But the protests are evolving and different in nature and the Ottawa police must be ready, he said. 
	“One size fits all,” said El-Chantiry.  “This can happen at any time, so we have to prepare and have the resources.” 
	The federal government has agreed to pay the $ 35 million bill for policing the three-week “Freedom Convoy” protest in February. 
	The occupation prompted the Trinto government to invoke the emergency law for the first time.  It ended after hundreds of police officers from forces across Canada entered to disperse the crowds, making dozens of arrests.
	The head of the board said that a plan – including a financial plan – was needed to deal with future demonstrations, which showed no sign of stopping. 
	“We have to find a sustainable way to do that,” he said.  “I will work with the federal and provincial governments to find a sustainable way for the future.” 
	It is important for downtown Ottawa residents to be able to enjoy their city without constant disturbance, El Chadiri said.
	“I’m trying to find a way to keep up with these costs and I want the community living there now to enjoy the summer and their home,” he said. 
	Mendicino added: “The people of Ottawa, and indeed all Canadians, have the right to live their daily lives in peace and security. We are grateful for what happened this past weekend.”
	This Canadian Press Report was first published on May 2, 2022.