Below you will find the answers that the Vancouver Integrated Security Unit (VISU) have provided to residents. Wonder how much these vague answers approximate the truth?

VISU website: http://www.surreyrcmp.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=391&languageId=1

Frequently Asked Questions - Security Planning

General

How will the ISU properly secure the Games in both the densely populated city of Vancouver and the vast mountain area of Whistler?

The goal of the security planners is to provide an increased level of safety and security on, over and around the designated Olympic and Paralympic sites. This involves implementing security measures on land, air and sea. The V2010 ISU has brought together security and public safety agencies from all levels of government to work with us as we plan towards 2010. By integrating all of this expertise, we are determining exactly what is needed to keep people safe during the Games.
How are security needs being determined?

The RCMP and its partners take a measured security approach to global events. A strong security presence will not be visible – unless circumstances warrant. The security plan for the 2010 Games is being developed based on operational need. The level of security will be determined by our threat assessments – based on information from a wide range of sources and agencies.
What will be the impact of the security plans on the average person living in the Vancouver or Whistler area?

The average resident who is not attending a 2010 Games event will likely not experience any security restrictions. Residents may experience an increased volume of traffic and corresponding traffic disruptions that could affect their daily schedule during Games-time. Information to assist residents in moving throughout the Games region is forthcoming.

Security Resources

How many members will be deployed for the Olympics?

Approximately seven thousand security personnel - comprised of RCMP and Municipal police officers from across Canada.
Will other security personnel other than RCMP be deployed?

The ISU is working with its security partners in planning security for the Games, and although these plans have not been finalized, this will likely include the deployment of non-RCMP security.
Will municipal city police officers be deployed to the Olympics?

Yes, as these are Canada's Games, numerous police forces from across Canada have offered to deploy personnel to support the security effort
When will members begin to be deployed?

We do not disclose this information due to security reasons.
What impact will the deployment of members have on the communities they are leaving?

The deployment of members to the Games will not compromise the safety and security of the communities policed by the RCMP. All security personnel deployments for the Olympics will balance the need to ensure local police priorities and services are maintained.
How will communities be kept informed of the impact on them?

The RCMP will maintain open dialogue with communities to ensure that any secondments will not negatively impact security in their communities.

Consultation is key in all decisions related to the resourcing of major events. Decisions about policing priorities within a province are made locally between the provinces and the RCMP Commanding Officer. Similar processes exist at the municipal level.
What is the RCMP doing to ensure that there are enough resources left behind in the communities they police?

The RCMP has implemented several strategies to ensure that the detachments will be operating at sufficient levels during the Games. These include annual leave restrictions and the suspension of training courses during the Olympic time frame.
How is deployment going to affect regular policing duties such as court appearances, etc?

To meet the resource challenges associated to policing the Olympics, the RCMP must find solutions that will minimize the effect the re-deployment will have on the contract policing service delivery. One such solution is working with our justice system partners to ensure flexibility in the scheduling of criminal and civil trials that require police appearances during February 2010.
A number of specialized teams and units will presumably be deployed to the Olympics. Won’t this leave our country vulnerable in other areas?

At no time is the safety and security of any province or city compromised by the deployments of members elsewhere. Personnel will be carefully chosen to ensure the ongoing needs of a community, region or province can be met by those who remain behind.

Transportation

The V2010 ISU will provide a secure Olympic transportation system for athletes, team officials and designated Olympic family members based on current threat assessments.

Secure transportation may include official transportation to and from airport(s), to/from the Athlete/Olympic villages, practice and competition venues, Medal Recognition Ceremonies as well as opening and closing ceremonies.

All Olympic transportation drivers will undergo security background checks through the V2010 ISU and will be readily identifiable to security personnel. In addition, all accredited drivers will receive security orientation and training relating to the transport of secure passengers.

General

What agency is handling the transportation issues during the Games?

Transportation is a vital part of security planning for the Integrated Security Unit. We will ensure that all areas of the transportation planning process are coordinated- with VANOC and with security and public safety agencies. Transportation planning for the ISU relates to the provision of security for the athletes and officials.
How will the host cities benefit from the 2010 Games transportation planning ?

A coordinated multi-agency response to traffic management issues will undoubtedly result in improved service and the identification of other best practices. The benefits will reach far beyond the 2010 Games.

Marine

Which venues are considered “water-side”?

Water side venues include the Main Media Centre, the International Broadcast Centre, the Richmond Oval and the Vancouver Athlete’s Village.
Has there been stakeholder engagement?

Planners will ensure that marine security plans reflect the concern, advice and input from those both directly and indirectly impacted. Consultation has been underway, and working groups/committees have been formed to reflect the needs the marine community. The V2010 ISU remains committed to on-going consultation and communications around the impacts of proposed marine security plans and operations.

Road Based

Does the security plans for the games require road closures and restrictions?

The decision to close a road for security reasons is not taken lightly nor is it made in isolation by the ISU. The general public can expect some security based road closures. The V2010 Integrated Security Unit is continuing to work with key transportation partners to find ways to minimize impacts, and we are committed to providing you with that information.
Why have you decided to close some roads for security reasons and not others ?

The location of public roadways in proximity to Olympic venues has to be considered in the overall security planning. Our planners are very thorough and conduct risk assessments that they apply to the overall security planning process.
What is being done during the Games to deal with major incidents that cause traffic gridlock on the main routes in Vancouver, ie. Bridge jumpers ?

The ISU is keeping abreast of emerging transportation issues as we plan for the Games. We continually monitor major transportation incidents, and engage in ongoing consultation with the key 2010 transportation partners.
What will happen if there is a serious motor vehicle collision on the Sea to Sky Highway during the Games ?

One initiative being implemented by the ISU is the expedited response teams of traffic collision investigators that will operate on the Sea-to-Sky Highway during Games time. These units will address increased traffic and mitigate any delays or road closures. This is only one of the planned measures that will assist in keeping drivers and passengers safe, and the traffic flowing.

Accreditation

The Olympics have been designated as a major event by the Government of Canada. As a result, the RCMP is mandated to complete security background checks to enhance the security of the Olympic Games.

People with accreditation may have enhanced access to secure facilities, venues and athletes. The purpose of the security background check is to support the objective of a secure and safe Olympic Games.

The V2010 ISU predicts more than 100,000 individuals will require accreditation.

Anyone with enhanced access to secure zones within venues and facilities needs to be accredited. This includes athletes, media, coaches etc. For those people who are not residents of Canada, the 2010 Integrated Security Unit will work with its partners to ensure necessary checks are done.

The V2010 ISU makes individual assessments about whether an individual could pose a risk to the Games. The Unit will provide a simple yes or no to VANOC. VANOC issues the accreditation credential.

For the 2010 Winter Games, police conducting background checks for accreditation will only have to enter data once to check a variety of security databases, and they will be able to automatically re-check people right up to the end of the Games. This improves overall safety for the Games participants, volunteers, visitors to our country and the public.

The Integrated Security Unit will ensure personal privacy is protected at all times. Police personnel processing accreditation requests are the only ones who will view personal information.

Personal data will be in highly controlled in an electronic environment. For example, even viewing the data would leave an electronic track. Privacy legislation requires that all personal data collected for security checks during the Games must be destroyed two years after the event concludes.

I understand that all volunteers at the Games will require security background checks, can you explain this ?

The Olympics have been designated as a major event by the Government of Canada. As a result, the RCMP is mandated to complete security background checks to enhance the security of the Olympic Games. People with accreditation may have enhanced access to secure facilities, venues and athletes. The purpose of the security background check is to support the objective of a secure and safe Olympic Games.
How many people will need to be accredited for the Games ?

The V2010 ISU predicts more than 100,000 individuals will require accreditation. Anyone with enhanced access to secure zones within venues and facilities needs to be accredited. This includes athletes, media, coaches, volunteers and others.
How does the ISU inform VANOC about the results of a security background check on an individual ?

The V2010 ISU makes individual assessments about whether an individual could pose a risk to the Games. The Unit will provide a simple yes or no to VANOC. VANOC issues the accreditation credential.
What if accreditation is granted and the applicant commits an offence before the Games ?

For the 2010 Winter Games, police conducting background checks for accreditation will only have to enter data once to check a variety of security databases, and they will be able to automatically re-check people right up to the end of the Games. This improves overall safety for the Games participants, volunteers, visitors to our country and the public.
Will the ISU retain the personal information of those seeking accreditation ?

The Integrated Security Unit will ensure personal privacy is protected at all times. Police personnel processing accreditation requests are the only ones who will view personal information. Personal data will be in highly controlled in an electronic environment. For example, even viewing the data would leave an electronic track. Privacy legislation requires that all personal data collected for security checks during the Games must be destroyed two years after the event concludes.

Training and Exercises

The 2010 Integrated Exercise Program is designed to ensure we are prepared to respond to any potential emergency that may occur during the Games.

The 2010 Integrated Exercise Program is based on a series of three exercises – Bronze, Silver and Gold combined with exercises planned by all three levels of government. These shared exercises will help develop and validate capabilities arising from the cooperative efforts of various agencies and government departments from all levels.

The series of exercises, called Bronze, Silver and Gold, will take place over the next year and a half in order to examine, practice and test protocols and policies among regional partners.

One of the valuable legacies of the V2010 ISU and its work with all three levels of government will be to reduce any potential conflicts between standard operating plans and procedures for agencies and governments involved in disaster response.

The delivery of a safe and secure 2010 Winter Olympics will depend on the effective contribution of many organizations and agencies, and more importantly, on their ability to work together. Exercising provides the opportunity for this capability to be achieved.

How will the Integrated Security Unit know it is prepared for Games time ?

The 2010 Integrated Exercise Program is designed to ensure we are prepared to respond to any potential emergency that may occur during the Games.
What is involved in the Exercise Program?

The 2010 Integrated Exercise Program is based on a series of three exercises – Bronze, Silver and Gold combined with exercises planned by all three levels of government. These shared exercises will help develop and validate capabilities arising from the cooperative efforts of various agencies and government departments from all levels.
When will the exercises occur?

There are series of exercises with the largest being Bronze, Silver and Gold, that have taken place and are scheduled to occur in 2009 in order to examine, practice and test protocols and policies among regional partners.
With so many agencies involved, how will they all work together during the Games ?

One of the valuable legacies of the V2010 ISU and its work with all three levels of government will be to reduce any potential conflicts between standard operating plans and procedures for agencies and governments involved in disaster response. The delivery of a safe and secure 2010 Winter Olympics will depend on the effective contribution of many organizations and agencies, and more importantly, on their ability to work together. Exercising provides the opportunity for this capability to be achieved.

Security at Venues

The Olympics have been designated as a major event by the Government of Canada. As a result, the RCMP is mandated to complete security background checks to enhance the security of the Olympic Games.

Anyone with enhanced access to secure zones within venues and facilities needs to be accredited. This includes athletes, media, coaches etc. For those people who are not residents of Canada, the V2010 ISU will work with its partners to ensure necessary checks are done.

The Integrated Security Unit makes individual assessments about whether an individual could pose a risk to the Games. The Unit will provide a simple yes or no to VANOC. VANOC issues the accreditation credential.

The Integrated Security Unit will ensure personal privacy is protected at all times. Police personnel processing accreditation requests are the only ones who will view personal information.

Will there be vehicle and pedestrian security checkpoints at venues? How will these impact residents?

The security overlays for venues have not been finalized, however both pedestrians and authorized vehicles will be screened at security checkpoints before entering specific Olympic and Paralympic venues. There will not be vehicle parking for members of the public at any of the venues. The V2010 ISU is working closely with VANOC venue planners to develop detailed venue security plans. Security measures that could impact residents will be communicated well in advance.
Will private security companies be utilized for security operations during the Games?

The Integrated Security Unit will be contracting private companies to operate security screening services at entrances to Olympic and Paralympic venues within the Metro Vancouver and the Sea to Sky Region.
Will security be compromised ?

While the Integrated Security Unit intends to contract out certain security services at some venues, the unit retains overall responsibility for security at Olympic and Paralympic venues. The Integrated Security Unit will maintain oversight of security screeners, and the security standards they apply. All contract security staff will have enhanced security clearances and will be required to have specialized training to operate necessary equipment.
Why can’t police officers fulfill these security duties?

Using the private sector to perform this work will allow the Integrated Security Unit to maximize police resources and will ensure we can continue to meet our responsibilities in the communities we serve. It makes good financial sense to contract out this portion of the security work, allowing police to focus on maintaining public order and investigating criminal activities. The Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit is committed to working with private security providers to keep the public, athletes and visitors safe.