Reflections from the Olympics

The Vancouver 2010 games have long closed but the memories and experience of Canadian police officers remains fresh in their minds. Now that most of the officers have returned home and to regular duties, I asked around for a few of them to share the best part of their Olympic experience with me.

Corporal Larissa Jarson, RCMP Ottawa Headquarters

On February 6th I travelled to Vancouver in order to provide security to the International Protected Persons who were attending the Olympics. I arrived at Ballantyne Pier and boarded the Oosterdame, one of the three cruise ships leased to accommodate security personnel. One of my first observations was the site of hundreds of different federal, provincial and municipal police agencies working at the Olympics. I met officers who had come from Newfoundland to small towns in British Columbia. It was a great opportunity to work in partnership with all of these agencies.

Larissa on duty

My first week was spent as a site security for numerous VIPs, including the Prime Minister of Canada, the Governor General of Canada and the Vice President of the United States. I even had the chance to work with members of the U.S. Secret Service and learn about thier work protecting the President and Vice President.

During my last two weeks of work in Vancouver I was involved in the motorcade with the Queen, King and Prince of Sweden (Carl XVI Gustaf). The motorcade drove back and forth to Whistler from Vancouver attending cross country skiing, biathlon, downhill skiing, and men's hockey and curling. During this time I enjoyed working with police from Sweden who accompany the royal family on such trips. The provided me with a unique opportunity to observe these officers at work and exchange work experiences.

Although the hours were long (at time 18 hour days) this experience has been the highlight of my career. It was exciting to be such an intricate part of the 2010 Games and I am thrilled to have been part of this great event. I was sad to leave British Columbia but I have returned home with many wonderful stories and memories to share.

Corporal Larissa Jarson, RCMP Ottawa at Whistler