Culture and sport at the Olympics

Part of what has made the games special is the festivities outside of the sport venues. Just as we have witnessed the coming together of police agencies from across the country to help Vancouver celebrate, Provincial and Territorial officials have done likewise.

On February 23rd, the Lieutenant-Govenor of New Brunswick hosted one of the many cultural celebrations at Atlantic House. It was a fabulous night of seafood served bulter style complimented by entertainment featuring New Brunswick artists Measha Brueggergosman, Matt Andersen and Ode a L'Acadie. Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement President Paula Raymond and IAWP Second Vice President Myra James were both on hand to enjoy the evening.

Paula Raymond, His Honour Graydon Nicholas, Her Honour Beth Nicholas, and Myra James

The sun will shine one last time...

...over the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games Cauldron.



IAWP First Vice President, the lead RCMP Staff Sergeant for the International Visitation Program, has done a tremendous job of putting me in touch with people to share their Olympic Security experiences. Do you recall Tammy Marshall, civilian RCMP Dispatcher, from one of the first IAWP at the Olympic blogs? Tammy is one of the people who has taken some time out her busy schedule to respond to emails and send me comments via Margaret.

Tammy's highlights of the Olympics: "It is exhausting but fun. My highlights are the dress rehearsal (tickets she received from a cousin) and working dispatch for the opening ceremonies. I was designated to the International Protected Persons dispatch for that."

Tammy is one of several RCMP staff that is staying on with the Paralympic Games which begin in March. I hope to have more from Tammy's perspective soon.

Enjoy day 17 events everyone. The closing of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games is near. I am sure that all the officers and staff who have helped make the games a success are looking forward to getting home but at the same time sad to have the experience end.

I will continue to have updates from the final days events as well experiences from the Paralympic Games. So please continue to check back.

Do we love red (and white) or what?

There are few things more Canadian than the beautiful red serge of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. This photo was taken by Myra James this past week. Myra tells me that the volume of visitors to this site has been so large that VANOC has classified it as venue for crowd management.

RCMP Musical Ride in front of Olympic Cauldron.

The next iconic Canadian red fashion accessory is the red mittens designed and sold by the Hudson's Bay Company to support Canadian athletes. Did you hear that even Oprah loves them?

Myra and Jamie Bannon of the Hamilton Police Service

Myra had the great pleasure of treating her 17 year old cousin to a women's hockey game at UBC Thunderbird Arena. They took the ferry out to Granville Island, downtown to view the Olympic Cauldron (near her workplace), out to Gas Town, the to Robson Street to take in some of the spontaneous entertainment. During the game, Myra noted lots of Chinese fans in the crowd flying the Red and Yellow flag to support their team. Even though China lost the game, the crowd was rockin the venue.

China vs. Russia Women's Hockey

For those of you who have been glued to the television (like me) watching hockey, curling, speed skating, and every other sport being broadcast you would have noticed the overwhelming crowds of red Team Canada jerseys. I will turn you over to Myra who simply exudes pride when she writes about her experience at the Olympics and describes the sea of red.

James Journey - Part Five

February 17th was a beautiful sunny day in Vancouver with temperatures in the double digits. I worked until 3 p.m. then spend the balance of the day with Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement President Paula Raymond. We enjoyed lunch together prior to catching the Vancouver public transit over to the UBC Thunderbird Arena where we celebrated the Women's Team Canada Hockey victory over Sweden. The audience looked like a blanket of red and white! The atmosphere in the arena was more enthusiastic that any other event I've ever attended.

On February 22nd I enjoyed an evening with my friend, and IAWP First Vice President, Marg Shorter, at the Women's Hockey, Russia vs, Switzerland , game.

This past week I have enjoyed watching both the Team Canada Men's and Women's Hockey games. I was at the Bronze and Gold Medal games for the Women's Hockey on Thursday.

Words can not adequately describe what the Gold Medal game environment was like!!!! I can safely say I have never experienced anything like it in my life! When the Canadian Flag was being raised everyone joined together to sing the anthem and it was absolutely fantastic! To witness the medal presentation was another one of my highlights.

Team Canada Captain Hayley Wickenheiser and Goalie Shannon Szabados sporting the red and white (and gold) we Canadians love.

Volunteers and staff are working long hours for the games. I have the pleasure of presenting some of them with spontaneous last minute tickets to games or victory ceremonies that are donated to us by the International Olympic Committee. For most of the volunteers, who can not afford the tickets, it is like Christmas morning to get these tickets.

VANOC organized an appreciation reception for the staff and volunteers last night (February 26th). Several staff will complete their roles with VANOC as of March 2nd and volunteers will return to their normal lives. For some of us, including me, will conclude our Olympic experience and begin preparing early next week for our Paralympic Games adventures.

I leave for Whistler on March 5th and will be there for 3 weeks. My job will essentially be the same. I will be posted at the Whistler Hilton Hotel where the international delegates are hosted. I believe that all of the staff will be moving into the Olympic Village for this leg of my tour. Of course I intend to take in some of the Paralympic events to round out my entire experience here.

Sunday evening I plan to join an RCMP friend, who is here from Halifax, at the Closing Ceremony. It will be an incredibly busy day at my venue. We are assisting Olympic family clients to their designated transportation to the ceremonies and then to their airport departures. Hopefully I will have some great photos of this day to share with you again.

I hope that all of you have been enjoying the Olympics. Every day brings a memory to add to my collection.

Warmly,

Myra

It is lucky day 13 at the Olympics. I have to admit that I have become a bit of an Olympic junkie. If I am not watching the games then I am anxiously awaiting updates and photos from IAWP members about what they are seeing and doing at the Olympics. I am also becoming more and more envious as they are having a great time while serving their departments, and Canada, with pride and enthusiasm.

Yesterday I received an update from Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement President, and RCMP Constable, Paula Raymond. Paula has left the east coast for beautiful Pender Island on the west coast. Pender is one of the Southern Gulf Islands off the coast of Victoria, about a half hour from Sidney, B.C., by boat.

And speaking of boats.......

Paula at the controls of one the vessels used in the Shiprider program.

Paula is working out of Pender Island on the Shiprider program. This is a joint partnership between Canadian police and the U.S. Coast Guard to conduct marine security patrols in the waters between the Canadian and U.S. boarders, in and around the waters and islands off the Gulf Islands on the B.C. coast and the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington. Paula is one of three female RCMP officers in this program.

Here is more from Paula, in her own words:

On the patrol vessels, which are rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs - as pictured below), we have crews from both agencies conduct patrols in the area. The patrols are going well, with a lot of presence and visibility being shown to travellers. We conduct boardings and vessel checks and for the most part the public has been very supportive of the increased security in the area.



The weather has been excellent overall, with only a few shifts having high winds and large waves. Luckily this was not when I was working. The climate here is incredibly different, much more mild, than the east coast of Canada. There is no snow, not even in Vancouver, and everything is green. Temperatures are hovering around 8 degrees Celsius during the day. The trees are budding and the daffodils are blooming. Sure feels like spring is in the air.


On my first trip to Vancouver I met with up Myra James and Margaret Shorter!

Margaret, Paula and Myra showing Canadian Pride with red mittens!

As for the Olympics, I attended the Opening Ceremony and a women's hockey game (Canada vs. Sweden) with Myra. I have also experienced the atmosphere of Robson Square in the downtown area. In the next few days I'll be going to the women's hockey medal games and the Closing Ceremony, again with Myra.

I leave for home on March 1st.

Paula

Olympic Fun Continues

There's Myra's trademark smile again.....showing us all how much fun she is having taking in the Olympic Experience. Myra took this photo while enjoying the rehearsal for the Opening Ceremonies.

James Journey - Part Four

Vancouver is ALIVE with people, interactive non-competition venues, street entertainment, flaming libations (I've tried on or two), unique restaurant menu specials and retailers selling licensed Olympic merchandise.

In around the Olympic Family Hotel (Marriot Pinnacle) on West Hastings Street (where I spend 10 to 12 hours a day) I've had the pleasure of interacting with over a hundred volunteer drivers who are providing services to the National Olympic Committee and members of the World Anti-Doping Association. Right now I supervise additional staff and volunteers that include traffic control persons, bus supervisors, parking attendants, fleet supervisors and load zone assistants who assist the Olympic Family clients every day. Yesterday I enjoyed a conversation with a delegation from China as well as a group from Russia.

VANOC staff now exceeds 25,000 and the volunteers are over 30,000. The can be seen all over the city, at all hours of the day. And, everyone we encounter ask about how to get one of our jackets, Unfortunately they are not for sale. Only staff and volunteers of the VANOC TEAM are issued them.

Everywhere we go the TEAM talk to one another even when they are complete strangers on Sky Train, in stores or restaurants. There is no shortage of friendly conversation with lots of team mates so I'm right in my element!

Last week I agreed to work a 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. shift. It allows me to interact with a variety of people in the hotel later at night and facilitates the occasional walk about the sea wall where there are lots of activities. My shift rotation is being adjusted throughout the games to accommodate my games day tickets - 6 in total. I've enjoyed working this shift.

I attended the dress rehearsal of the opening ceremonies. IT WAS AMAZING. I hope you all watched it. To personally witness the rehearsal which featured exceptional entertainment/dance/light shows was a highlight. It was perhaps one of the proudest moments I've ever felt as a Canadian!

Women's Ice Hockey (Canada vs. Sweden) is my first Olympic event. I attended with Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement President Paula Raymond. I also attended the China vs. Russia game on the 18th and I took my 17 year old cousin from the Island to commemorate her 18th birthday. She was thrilled. Marg Shorter will be my guest at the Women's Game on the 22nd when they play at UBC.

Wayne Gretzky went right by our hotel en route to light the Olympic Cauldron for the Opening Ceremonies. I can see it from the roof top balcony at any time throughout my shift, so I often take my coffee breaks out there and watch the thousands of people who are flocking to the area.

This continues to be a memorable experience, full of "firsts" for me. I feel blessed to be working with an enthusiastic group of staff and volunteers and have new life time friends.

I hope you are taking some time to watch the Olympics. We were thrilled with our first Gold medal on home soil.

Myra

The Games have Begun!

It is hard to believe that we are into Day 4, Day 3 of competition, of the Olympics already. It was also hard not to be envious of all the officers working in Vancouver when I witnessed the final leg of the Torch Relay, watched to spectacular opening ceremonies, and cheered Canada's first 2010 Olympic medal.



I know all of the officers are working hard though. We just have to watch news feeds to get a sense of that. I also got a sense of the long hours from an update I received just days before the Games began. IAWP Region 11 member, Lisa Hewison, of the Peel Regional Police, is assigned to General Patrol at Cypress Mountain. As a generalist, her duties are divided between three sections where officers are on static patrol in various areas ranging from ravine areas, treelines and up close to the events. The shifts are long - average is 15 hours when the travel time is included.

Lisa provided this photo below where she is guarding the ravine area.

As well as the foot patrol officers, there are snowmobile patrol officers, ski patrol officers (now that's my kind of work!) vehicle screening officers, pedestrian screening officers and numerous Canadian Forces personnel who are interspersed throughout the mountain.

In Lisa's Words

It has been a great experience working with police officers from all across the country. In my area alone I am working with members from almost every Province ranging from the farthest east coast of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to those who are from remote areas in Northern Canada.

I have found the mood of visitors towards the police to be very positive. They are friendly and everyone wants to take our picture.

I do miss home but am enjoying this once in a lifetime experience. The people I have met and the things I have seen make this trip all worthwhile. Skype is the greatest invention! I am able to video call my partner every day. And also having a Blackberry allows me to stay in contact with my family and friends through text, messenger and emails.

I am living on one of the cruise ships: Holland America - Osterdam. It is a really nice ship so I can't complain about accommodations. There is great food 24 hours a day and a decent fitness facility! The rooms are small but they have put our roommates on opposite schedules to help out with the space.

This picture is one I took of the mogul course on the first day the athletes were set to start training runs.

From all of your envious IAWP friends - Enjoy the rest of your time at the Olympics Lisa!

Olympic excitement is building

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games are set to open in less than 2 days. The athletes are arriving and the anticipation is building. And IAWP First Vice President Margaret Shorter is cool as a cucumber, confident all the police are in position to keep participants, spectators and volunteers safe. Here is latest update.

Margaret's Musings - Part 3

Well this is it. This the week of the Opening of the Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Olympic Games! Monday was the first rehearsal at B.C. Place Stadium. There were 25,000 people in attendance so this was the smaller of of the two planned rehearsals. The second, set for today, will have between 45,000 to 60,000 people. Everyone who attends must sign a confidentiality agreement not to reveal anything they have seen during the rehearsals. Even the performers have been sworn to secrecy for months and amazingly, there have been no obvious leaks.

I came into work Monday morning at the ISU and we are now a secured, non-competition "Venue". For this reason, there are a few security staff at the gate and when I saw the collar dogs and red stripes of the Winnipeg Police Service on one of the officers, I just had to ask Constable Odidisan whether he knew my good friend Sandra Martin. Well of course he did and I promptly let Sandra know that the WPS was on the job and looking sharp! (I will be sure to tell the Chief Margaret!)

My sister officer, house guest, and dedicated VANOC employee, Myra James has been away on duty for the last 48 hours. Because she is who she is, she agreed to cover off one of her teammates so he could have the weekend off for a very important personal commitment. That meant 2 x 18 hour shifts on the job so she is crashing back with Fiona in Vancouver when she can get away for a few winks.

Most of the deployed police officers from across Canada are now "on the ground". They have been getting oriented to their accommodations, their roommates, their transportation, and their assignments. So far the most common complaint is snoring roommates. The food on the cruise ships is amazing so no worries there. Staff Relations personnel are on site and following up quickly on any problems or possible problems.

The Olympic Touch is circling closer and closer to the Lower Mainland. This is day 104 of the 106 day odyssey across Canada and the excitement is palpable. The name of the person who will actually light the Olympic Flame on February 12th to open the Games had not yet been announced but there is much speculation. Perhaps Wayne Gretzky? Perhaps the mother of Terry Fox? Just another one of our well kept secrets.

My sense of what is happening in the city, in media and even among critics of the Games is that the time for objecting has passed. This is going to happen and a message will be better received if framed in the spirit of cooperation. So, there are designated "safe assembly areas" at every Venue where protesters can be visible and put out their message. But there will also be little community support for violence, injury, or damage. We are all proud of Vancouver and want to leave a positive impression on the world!

I ran into RCMP Inspector Barb Kelly in the ISU cafeteria a week ago; she is working here in the Operational Incident Command Centre. I also hear that Larissa Jarson from RCMP Ottawa is in town assigned to VIP duties. She is likely staying on one of the accommodation vessels and will be able to give IAWP readers some insight from there.

I am planning to immerse myself in the Olympic competition event experience if at all possible. Santa bought me tickets for the Women's Skating and Women's Curling. My husband and I also purchased tickets to an evening Medal Celebration Ceremony which coincides with the Curling. I am closely monitoring my work assignment schedule and, so far, that big day is still miraculously clear of commitments. Wish me luck!


From all IAWP Region 11 and Region 12 members, Good luck Margaret and Myra and all of the other police officers working to make this a very successful Olympic Games. We anxiously await the next update as enjoy the Olympic experience. Stay safe.

IAWP at the Paralympics

Just one month after the Olympic Games conclude, Vancouver and Whistler B.C. switch gears quickly in order to host the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. RCMP Corporal Laurie White is currently working as the Paralympic Planner, Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit (ISU).

At the Toronto 2000 Conference, Laurie was awarded the IAWP Medal Valour for her role in a domestic abuse investigation. Laurie was injured during the incident and was left with a permanent injury. But not even this could slow her down.....

Prior to joining the ISU, Laurie had been in the lower mainland for one year. In January 2007 she started work with the Air India Task Force and in August of that year she was promoted to a position in ViCLAS. During her time here she got to know some of the ISU members and learned a little about the planning process involved with the Games. In Laurie's words "because of my educational background (she has a Phys Ed degree and a Master's degree in Arts/Sport Studies), my 14 years in law enforcement, and the fact that I have a permanent physical disability, I was approached to take on the Paralympic coordination/planning role. This opportunity is very unique and has proven to be an excellent fit for my skill set and personal interests."

Laurie coordinates security plans for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. The Paralympics are smaller than the Olympics so there are many modifications and adjustments that must occur in preparation for this event. Laurie is tasked with liaising with the leads of various functional units, identifying and addressing gaps and issues, facilitating sensitivity training and keeping the momentum moving forward.

Although she is a one person unit, virtually every other unit with the ISU has some involvement in the Paralympics. As the Games draw closer, more resources are being shifted to assist and focus on the Paralympics.

In 2008 Laurie attended to the Paralympic Summer Games in Beijing, China as part of the International Observer Program. The photo is Laurie watching events at the track. According to Laurie, "Going to China and being part of the Paralympic experience was amazing."

I'm sure Laurie will do her best to make the 2010 Paralympic Winter games equally amazing!

IAWP at the Olympics

Normally Suzanne Bedard is keeping the City of Halton safe. These days, she is ensuring the safety of the Canadian athletes in the Olympic Village.

This Moose (and Suzanne) is placed outside of the Canadian residences along with street hockey nets in the Athletes Village. Now what's more Canadian than unwinding after a hard day with a bit of street hockey?!

Suzanne has also met former Canadian Olympian Marnie McBean who is the Operations Manager for Team Canada.


The photo to the right (Suzanne again) was taken during a tour of the Athletes Village officers received the first they showed up for work here.

There's those red mitts again....

Suzanne has promised more photos as the Games get into full swing......which is only 3 short days from now!!

IAWP at the Olympics

There are only 5 days until the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games begin! I think you will agree that Margaret is upbeat and prepared to handle the arrival of the world to Vancouver.

Margaret's Musings - Part 2

There are now over 500 personnel working at the Integrated Security Unit. Many specialized resources were brought in early to "sweep" the venues prior to lock-down. If an officer is a dog handler or is qualified in hand search techniques, or even a snowmobile operator, that officer would have already had their assignment and be on the venue preparation schedule. Otherwise, most officers will receive their assignments when they arrive in Theatre.

Photo to the left is Margaret with Corporal Neil Ogurian of Protective Services in front of the Innukshuk at the Nordic Centre in the Callaghan Valley near Whistler.

At the time the Games open, officers from more than 100 police services across Canada, members of the Canadian Forces and private security personnel will be deployed to provide policing and security services. Officers from agencies across the country will be working side by side, wearing the uniforms of the individual departments, proudly representing the diversity of policing in Canada. (Sounds like an IAWP Opening Ceremonies parade - doesn't it?!)

Deployed resources will be assigned to work either the Vancouver area or the Whistler area and are given accommodation in that area. Security operations in each area operate independently; there is no overlap. This is primarily due to the challenges of the commute between Vancouver and Whistler on what is referred to as the Sea-to-Sky Highway - a 100 kilometre stretch of road that hugs the rugged coastline and can be even more challenging in winter weather conditions. Should an event occur on that highway, whether natural (such as a mudslide) or man made (such as a traffic accident), our ability to provide security to the athletes and to the Games will not be compromised.

Photo of Civilian RCMP Radio Dispatcher member Tammy Marshall and her group of co-workers for the Games.

Tammy was sponsored to the IAWP Darwin Conference in 2008. She is seconded to the Olympics to work in the Integrated Command Centre during the games.

Many officers will be calling a cruise ship home for the time they are in Vancouver. The first accommodation vessel arrived in Ballantyne Pier two weeks ago and police officers from across Canada have been arriving ever since then. Are we getting excited? That goes without saying. But, it is also a very individual and personal reaction. There are butterflies in stomachs and pre-stage jitters for some. People are people and, with thousands of officers coming in, there are bound to be varying levels of satisfaction with their individual assignments. In the big picture, however, police officers are perhaps at our best once the planning is done and the operation is underway. We are ready. Bring it on!