Summit Summary

If you have been following any of the news lately, you will know that that G8/G20 Summits may be over but there are some lingering issues. It is fairly safe to say that all officers who were part of the Integrated Security Unit were kept busy.

But...true to her word, IAWP First Vice President Margaret Shorter sent me a final summation of her perspective of the Summits. Here is the last version of Marg on the Move.

Marg on the Move:
Well, after I last wrote, event accelerated to consume my every waking hour. As a result, I am writing this now in the aftermath of the G20 meetings as the security operations wind down.

While in Toronto I was assigned to day shift from 0600 to 1800 hours. I had to be up at 0400 and on the bus by 0500 (which was really 0200 hours in Vancouver according my to my biological clock!) and we didn't get to back to the hotel until approximately 2000 hours. In spite of the relief shift best efforts to get to us in a reasonable time, the movement of various demonstrations affected the coordination of bus transportation. When we did arrive back at the hotel, I would still have to shower and lay out my gear to dry for the next shift. I forced myself to take an ice bath most nights in order to bring down my core temperature and reduce swelling in my legs and feet (a little trick I learned as a runner). I survived on late night room service and four to five hours of sleep a night during my stay in Toronto.

My first assignment was as Sector 5 Supervisor. That put me in charge of 18 RCMP officers along a controlled section of Front Street within the Restricted Access Zone, or RAZ. This was the primary route for motorcade escorts coming and going from the Metro Toronto Convention Center where the delegates were holding meetings. I spent three days getting to know the site, my staff, and the contingency plans with my sector....and then....the entire plan changed.

I woke up on the morning of June 24th to find myself leading a new team as the day shift Supervisor of Sector 6. This was the section of the RAZ line that wrapped around the north side of the Toronto Fairmont York Hotel. Many of the G20 representatives were actually staying here which also made it a major motorcade destination. There was a satellite command post within the hotel with extra layers of RCMP and Security staff for protection of the hotel guests. This interface became the most challenging for my in terms of crisis communication and planning since they were under separate command supervision and on separate radio channels from my team and the command staff on the RAZ line.

As the weekend approached, the level of activity in the streets of Toronto increased. The G8 meetings in Huntsville concluded Saturday morning (June 26th) and those leaders, their contingents, and many of the security resources were relocated to the G20 in Toronto. My team responsibilities grew and communications with senior command became more difficult. I was wearing two portable radios and a Blackberry in order to maintain contact with the various areas. I had to depend on my field intelligence from our close proximity to the Toronto Police Service and other municipal departments which were manning the Interdiction Zone outside of the RAZ fence. Some of my younger, very techno savvy members, were staying informed by using cell phones, PINing, and texting friends in the Intelligence Unit. They were also accessing media websites for some very timely information.

The RAZ line contained a number of gates where credentials could be checked with electronic scanners and visually inspected. Members were under a lot of pressure from the hundreds of workers and international delegates who needed access to the RAZ.

By Saturday Toronto's financial district was under siege and protesters were approaching our fence line at Union Station next to the Royal Bank of Canada building. Unified Command was critical and the intelligence suggested that we could expect a focused mass assault at our location where ladders and grappling hooks would be used to scale the fence.

I walked the line many times ensuring that each member had their questions and concerns addressed, that they had their necessary equipment at the ready, and that they had been relieved at some point to get food and water. I reinforced the need to know the municipal counterparts across from our position and to review mutual plans for any contingency. The day wore on their were stories of clashes along the line and in the areas of Queen's Park. It was an exhausting to be on alert and have the adrenaline running all day long like that.

By late Saturday many of the leaders of various factions were under arrest. By Sunday morning, much of the energy had dissipated with the lack of leadership and by late Sunday a light rain became an additional discouraging deluge. Once we were relieved we turned in our gear and headed "home" to the hotel. My last challenge was reviewing the paperwork to ensure everyone from my unit would be properly compensated, I hopped on a buy at around 1900 hours only to find out there was one last delay with the mass exodus of delegates in motorcades heading to the airport.

Monday brought about our own mass exodus from Toronto. The line ups we created at Pearson International appeared to overwhelm the airport staff. While I did make it to my flight with 20 minutes to spare, my luggage has still not found its way home.

I sent a text message to my Sector Team today in order to bring myself some closure to this adventure. I truly feel and what I said in that message: "...The experience should serve you well...I hope the memories will be good one."

Thanks for listening,
Marg

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!

Catching up...

It has been a few weeks now since I returned home from beautiful South Africa. It has taken me a few weeks to catch up of a few things....

Sleep was the first thing that took a while to catch up on. I was a bit turned around after the long flights home. Although I really should not complain after IAWP First Vice President Margaret Shorter emailed me and said it took her 3 continents and 36 hours of flying time to return home to Vancouver.

Emails and phone messages tend to pile up as well and that was a week to sort through. Still, when IAWP President Jane Townsley posted her update advising she was still in South Africa, I realized my email in bin would pale in comparison to hers.

House work ....well let's just say that I still have not caught up on that.

All the travel and catching up was worth every bit of effort. The trip to South Africa was amazing and the two days of board meetings were very productive. Please watch for your next issue of Women Police to catch up on all of the news.

I would love to catch with all of you so please remember to send me your news, promotion announcements, retirements, photos or anything else that is going on in Region 12. I will continue to catch up on all of that news in the next two weeks.

New IAWP Blogs!
Region 10 Coordinator Robyn Matthews and Region 5 Coordinator Libby Lytle are now blogging. Both have got a great set up so please take some time to navigate over to there blogs and catch up on news in those regions.

We should be seeing a blog in the near future from Region 15 Coordinator Amena Begum.

These blogs are in addition to Region 3 Coordinator Laura Beck, who began to blog about the same time as me, Region 9 Coordinator Janet Wilson and IAWP Chaplain Tamia Dow who have both been blogging for over a year now.

48th Annual IAWP Training Conference in Minneapolis!
Julie Brunzel was in South Africa to provide us with an update on this year's conference. It is shaping up to be a spectacular event. Please log on to the website for all the new details:
http://www.iawp2010.org/

Congratulations to an IAWP friend from Down Under!
Region 14 Co-Coordinator Karen Salisbury is retiring this June. Region 12 wishes a long, healthy and happy retirement!

Spring is here!

Spring has most definitely sprung here in Winnipeg! We have been enjoying lots of sunshine, above normal temperatures and best of all.....no floods.

Of course the other event I have been anticipating, besides the melting snow, is the Annual IAWP Spring Board Meeting. This year we are lucky to have the South African Police host us at their Police Management Center for the meeting. I hope that between myself and IAWP Chaplain Tamia Dow (another IAWP blogger) we will be able to post at least one update for members over the next two weeks.

If you have logged on to check out my blog, please consider taking some time to look over the IAWP home page (www.iawp.org) for look at the IAWP annual award categories. The closing date for nominations is April 26th. I know we have some very worthy Region 12 candidates out there!

IAWP at the Olympics Blog

I would like to thank all of the officers from Region 11 and Region 12 who shared photos, anecdotes and stories from the Olympics. You did our country proud!

Please look for my last update in the next publication of Women Police.

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

IAWP at the Paralympics

The 2010 Paralympic Games will draw to a close tomorrow. It is truly amazing to witness the determination and spirit of all the athletes who have competed in the games. I hope you have been able to tune and watch some of it.

As I have previously mentioned, one of the IAWP Medal of Valour Award Winner (Edmonton 2001), RCMP Corporal Laurie White has been the go-to person for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics. She has shared some of her experience with me for this blog:

Laurie's Story....
We have about 750 members deployed to the Paralympic Games and they are primarily E Division Resources (RCMP term for the Province of British Columbia). This is considerably scaled down from the 7000 officers from all over Canada who helped out during the Olympics.

Security planning for the Paralympics followed the same process as for the Olympics. Decisions about equipment and resources were made based on threat levels and the unique characteristics and features of the the venues. However, there are fewer venues, athletes and spectators so the security measures are relative to the size and capacity differences.

When I traveled to Beijing to participate in the International Observer Program I was fortunate to get a glimpse of what lay ahead for us. This program is not specifically designed for security personnel. Future host country representatives participate in it. The host country of the particular games organize the program for us. During the 2010 games no one is assigned to shadow me.

I have enjoyed the flexibility and freedom of this position. Police officers are often placed in very defined roles with very specific job functions. This was a new job so I was given considerable room to be creative with my role. It has opened my eyes to the complex world of major events and all of the critical elements involved in the planning process. Plus, it has been a good fit for my personal perspective.

After the 2010 games are complete I head off to Operations Strategy Branch and will be working in Police Resource Management. I am always looking forward to a new challenge and this new job will certainly provide that.

Laurie.

Correction

My apologies to IAWP Region 11 member Jamie Bannon who is featured in this photo with Myra. My original posting named her as Myra's cousin.

Jamie is a colleague of Myra's from the Hamilton Police. She travelled out to Vancouver to become an Olympic Volunteer for the 2010 Games. Jamie was involved in athlete services at Canada Hockey Place during the games. What a great place to be Jamie!!! Front and center for the hockey action!

IAWP Region 11 members Jamie Bannon and Myra James

in front of large Innukshuk

Let the Games Begin!

Today is the opening of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games. The first ever in Canada. And we are just as excited about it as we were one month ago for the opening of the Olympics. Canada is devoting record television broadcast time to the 2010 Paralympics.


IAWP Second Vice President Myra James has continued on with her duties at the 2010 Games. She has moved up to the Hilton Hotel in Whistler from Vancouver and has been busy preparing for the arrival of the Paralympic clients. Myra is working in a similar capacity as she did at the Marriott in Vancouver. The staff and volunteer base is smaller and the hours are not nearly as demanding but the energy level is definitely as high! The changes in staffing levels are primarily due to the reduction of participants in the Paralympics vs. Olympics.

Myra has advised me that most of the snow is gone in the Whistler Village (featured in the photo below) but there is still plenty of it in the mountains for the various Paralympic sports. Myra has been taking in the atmosphere in the village. She is only a short walk from the village where there are plenty of restaurants, pubs, and shopping. She is also enjoying a wonderful view of the mountains from her accommodations.





Myra has promised an update on a ziptrek tour she is planning to take before she begins her 5000 km journey home later this month. So, stay tuned for more of James Journey.


RCMP Corporal Laurie White, and 2000 IAWP Medal of Valour recipient, is also still involved in the games. In fact, her efforts are ramped up right now as she is the Paralympic Planner for the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit. Laurie has also agreed to continue feeding me information to share with all of you.


A bit more about the Paralympics


Just as the 2010 Olympics kicked off with a Torch Run, so has the 2010 Paralympics. Myra provided this photo.

The Torch Run for the Paralympics began on March 3rd in Ottawa and concludes today in Vancouver with a 24 relay leg around the city.

There are 506 athletes taking part in the 2010 Paralympics.

There are 5 Paralympic sports: Ice Sledge Hockey, Alpine Skiing, Cross Country Skiing, Biathlon, and Wheelchair Curling.

There are 64 Paralympic Medal Events.

I will be back with more on the 2010 in the coming days. Hope you check back to see what's new.

Good luck to everyone involved and stay safe!

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!