Marg makes friends where ever she goes!

I watched the news all weekend thinking what a tough go all those officers were having while working at the G8/G20 Summits. Well...leave it to Margaret to make new friends, even in tough times, and to always have a smile on her face!

Here Margaret is standing at the rear of the Ontario Provincial Police Tactical Response Vehicle. She tells me that she did not have time to ask his name but clearly they both enjoying a moment of quiet in downtown Toronto.

With gas mask equipment bag in one hand and hard helmet in the other, Margaret shows that she is prepared for anything. Her she is standing with a fellow RCMP Officer in front of the Royal York Hotel. For those who are not familiar with Toronto, this is very near the security fence line that was so fiercely guarded by all the officers who worked on the Integrated Security Unit.

Thanks once again Margaret for sharing your journeys across Canada!

This is definately not the Olympics...

I have been anxiously watching the news all day. (PS. Today is a regular day off for me so no worries that my boss may read this an wonder what I do all day long...LOL).

I have been watching the news because today marks the start of the G8 Summit in Huntsville just north of Toronto. I have been watching the news because I know that IAWP First Vice President Margaret Shorter is right in the thick of things in downtown Toronto and so far things are not off to the same jubilant start that she experienced back in February during the 2010 Olympics.

But you know our Margaret. She is always on top of her game, prepared for anything. She even had time to send me a quick update last night. She is one tough gal!

Marg on the Move...

Me again from Toronto. This was the longest day so far and the action really doesn't start until tomorrow. I will be up at 0400, on the bus at 0500, and back at 2000 (hopefully) and into an ice bath to reduce my core temperature and the swelling in my legs and feet. As a "west coaster" I am simply not used to the humidity!

I did have a few moments to reflect during my hectic day. There was just a hint of morning beginning to brighten the horizon as we boarded our chartered bus. It was raining but already + 20 degrees Celsius. I could see flashes of lighting over the skyline. I could hear pockets of quiet conversation as we hummed along the Gardiner Expressway and I was taken by the feeling that I was being part of something...

I could see all of the same shoulder flashes along the aisle, the same blue kit bag on my lap, and I had a feeling of calm, even contentment. I was a feeling that was in stark contrast to what I was speculating about the day ahead...

As I reported earlier, I am assigned as one of the Sector Supervisors in the restricted access zone, or RAZ, around the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. This is where the world leaders will meet this weekend, Today's news was an additional influx of police resources redeployed form other areas. I had a Sector change and, with that, new faces to meet and instant relationships to build into a functioning team. I am lucky with the profile of skills and competencies they bring to this assignment and I am channeling them appropriately. My team, in turn, have been good about picking up tasks where I need the help -- like communicating on two separate occasions on portable radios and a Blackberry (via phone, text and pinning) all at once.

There are already 'peaceful' protests underway and motorcades are moving delegates from one site to another. We get little advanced warning of either activity so I cannot afford to relax for too many minutes at a time. I have encouraged my team to get to know their municipal counterparts across the fence line and their response has been great -- as I expected it would be. I trust this will stand us all in good stead should the time come when depend on each other...

Wish us good luck.

Good night,
Marg


Good night, good luck and be safe Marg! Your IAWP friends are watching and waiting for your safe return home.

IAWP at the G8/G20 Summit

Can you guess who recently had to upgrade her gas mask training in preparation for security duties at the G8 and G20 Summit?

Well guess no longer my IAWP friends. Our very own IAWP First Vice President Margaret Shorter was once again called to into action for the upcoming G8 and G20 Summit. Yep...that's her sportin that mask!

Margaret knew she was in for something big when she got an email a few weeks back that directed her to ensure that her gas mask training was current. It wasn't. In fact, Margaret told me that British Columbia had done a recall for distribution of gas masks and I she had not done her annual refit since 2005.

Her next problem arose when she received her travel itinerary to Toronto. Good news was that the flight allowed for her to attend her son's graduation. Bad news was that she was assigned an operational defense position on the security perimeter at "the main event".

Margaret and I joked about her assignment at the summit. But as promised she has provided me with a lengthy update to share on the eve of the G8. Here are her thoughts on this experience:

Marg on the Move...
Hello from Toronto, host city to the Group of 20 countries whose leaders will attend meetings here this week.

There are some significant differences between the G8 and G20 Summits. The smaller group of 8 world leaders meet first. Their meetings are planned for June 25 and 26 in the holiday resort town of Huntsville in the Muskokas where many Canadians from this part of the country have holiday cottages.

The G20 leaders will have their meetings on June 26 and 27 her in the culturally diverse city of Toronto. It's not to say that I would choose Huntsville for my assigned duties. Up there the security forces are being issued with bug spray and live in a small city of construction trailers with hubbed washrooms.

Here...where I am...I have my own hotel room and a 99.5% chance that I will be using my gas mask.

I have a view of the CN Tower and it reminds me of the great time I had at the IAWP Conference in 2000. Back in 2000 we enjoyed brunch up on top of the CN Tower. Although it will be closed during the Summit, it is the site for some high profile special events like the YWCA Women of Distinction awards this weekend.

I have had some surprises since I arrived here last Friday. I have bumped into a few old friends, some I have not seen for a long time and some from my own Province. I found myself assigned as Sector Supervisor for one of the fence line teams.

Our orientation here has been a whirlwind of information sessions, equipment issue, and site familiarization. The sun has been shining and all of the young officers seem to own a pair of Oakley sunglasses - which I find very cool.

My experience with the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit during the Olympics has been a great starting point. I am familiar with the event management software used for posting our initial deployment information and I adapted procedures for working within a spectrum of policing and partner agencies. Even the official accreditation process has many Olympic-style elements. The G20 is another major security event and I am grateful to have had the Olympic experience to draw upon.

The most important elements of leadership so far have been the effective communications ... and...proper hydration!

Naturally, my Olympic buddy and fellow IAWP Second Vice President Myra James has checked in on me. Knowing I was in town she called to be sure that I was OK and was having a good experience here in Region 11. For her ongoing friendship I am grateful. Who knows what is yet to unfold? It is good to know I have a friend nearby....

Tomorrow is another big day. Wish me luck!

Cheers,
Margaret

Condolences

Our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Constable Chelsey Robinson who was killed in a motor vehicle collision on June 21st while responding to a call of a possible Impaired Driver.

Constable Robinson has a short seven months service with the RCMP. She was only twenty five years old. Please view the RCMP web site for further details: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ab/news-nouvelles/100621_robinson-eng.htm

Godspeed Constable Robinson.

Game On!!

Fifa 2010 World Cup begins in beautiful South Africa

Do you remember the anticipation and excitement in Vancouver just four months ago? From the media coverage on television this past week, I'd say South Africa is full of that same excitement as the 2010 World Cup kicked off today in Joberg.

And just as the RCMP required extra assistance in keeping athletes, fans and tourists safe during our 2010 Winter Olympics, the South African Police have brought in support from European police agencies. While the IAWP was in South Africa this past April, we were very lucky to be invited to view a mock demonstration at the soccer stadium in Capetown. The French National Police worked side by side with SAPS to train and prepare for this momentous event. From what we witnessed they are well prepared for this momentous event.

During the mock demonstration I was able to take time out, along with IAWP Region 15 Coordinator Amena Begum to dream that we were actually there to see the kick off. By the way...did you know that is Manitoba grass on that field?

The South African Police escorted IAWP board members to the top of Signal Hill to provide us with this spectacular view of the newly renovated soccer stadium in Capetown. This is one of several venues that SAPS is responsible for during the tournament.

Having just been through the Olympics ourselves we know the jubilation and pride the SAPS feel in hosting the world for this event. The excitement was very evident when we toured with SAPS.

It will be long hours and hard work to keep the teams and fans safe. Your police friends in Canada wish you a safe event. And we wish South Africa good luck during the tournament...so far off to a 1:1 tie with Mexico!