Integrated Security Unit

Security guard training at a portal to the Whistler Olympic and Paralympic Village.

Integrated Security Unit (ISU) (French: Groupe intégré de la sécurité - GIS) is a joint-services infrastructure security unit created to secure major events in Canada. This administrative and operational entity was first created by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in 2003.

In 2003, the RCMP formed an ISU for the 2010 Winter Olympics and for the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver. Subsequently, another ISU was formed for the 2009 World Police and Fire Games. In 2010, the RCMP formed an ISU to coordinate security planning and operations for the 36th G8 summit in Huntsville and the 2010 G-20 Toronto summit.

2009 World Police and Fire Games

The 13th World Police and Fire Games were held in Metro Vancouver in the Summer of 2009. For the protection of international athletes and due to the presence of firearms in competition, importation of pharmaceutical products and other restricted articles under Canadian law, the BC2009WPFGISU was formed to integrate all regulatory function.[1]

Its members included:

2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games

Logo of the Integrated Security Unit for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver

The initial Integrated Security Unit was established in 2003. It was led by RCMP Chief Superintendent Bob Harriman until mid-2007 when Assistant Commissioner Bud Mercer was appointed to the Chief Operating Officer position.[2]

As an RCMP (mainly by the RCMP "E" Division) initiative, it was headquartered at 11411 No. 5 Road in Richmond.

The Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit (V2010 ISU or VISU) was initially started with a budget of $175 million CAD, the final expenditure was over $900 million.[3] Private security cost $100 million.[4]

The unit consisted of approximately 16,000 police, military and private security personnel.[5][6] It consisted members of:

The unit was scaled down to 750 local RCMP officers, 500 military personnel and less than 6000 private security personnel for the Paralympic Games.[15]

2010 G8/G20 summits

Logo of the Integrated Security Unit for the 2010 summits

The Toronto Police, Ontario Provincial Police, the RCMP, York Regional Police[17] and the Peel Regional Police had formed an ISU for the 2010 G-20 Toronto summit, along with help from Canadian Forces.

Toronto Police and the OPP focused on providing policing at the G-20 summit site in downtown Toronto and immediate security zone. As for Pearson Airport, the Canadian Forces and Peel Police will focused their protection within the airport and areas around the airport perimeter. For the G8 Summit in Huntsville, the OPP, the RCMP and the Canadian Forces provided the main security coverage.

The 1600 out of town police units (non-GTA) in Toronto consists of:

2015 Pan American Games, Toronto

The ISU will be activated again for the 2015 Pan American Games and 2015 Parapan American Games to be held in the Greater Toronto Area and will be comprised for 10 police units:[24]

The OPP will lead the ISU for this event.[25]

See also

References

  1. ↑ British Columbia 2009 World Police & Fire Games Integrated Security Unit
  2. ↑ New chief named to Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2
  6. ↑ Fact Sheet - Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 7.10 7.11 7.12
  8. ↑ Inside Olympic security
  9. ↑
  10. ↑
  11. ↑
  12. ↑ Image of WRPS at 2010 Games
  13. ↑ Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Joins Commitment to Secure Canada’s Games
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Area officers off to Vancouver Olympic dream
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1
  16. ↑
  17. ↑ http://www.yorkregion.com/news/local/article/827840--york-cops-to-work-g8-g20
  18. ↑ http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Calgary+police+head+Toronto+massive+security+effort/3150428/story.html
  19. ↑ http://www.wrps.on.ca/news-centre/waterloo-regional-officers-assist-with-g-20-conference.htm
  20. ↑ http://www.nrps.com/news/details.asp?id=mr871
  21. ↑ http://www.ancasternews.com/news/article/212865
  22. ↑ http://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2625883
  23. ↑ http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/article/839309--protesters-gather-at-allan-gardens-to-oppose-g20-summit
  24. ↑ http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/u-s-firm-wins-81m-security-contract-for-toronto-s-pan-am-games-1.1747172
  25. ↑ http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/u-s-firm-wins-81m-security-contract-for-toronto-s-pan-am-games-1.1747172#ixzz2x6ODSCyD

External links