When the 2010 Olympics open in Vancouver next month St. Albert’s representation won’t just be, hopefully, on the podium, but also as part of the massive security operation.
Nine officers from the St. Albert RCMP detachment are heading to the Olympics as part of the force’s security operations.
Const. Cam Blumel, who normally works in the general investigation section, is headed to Vancouver in early February. He said when the opportunity came up, he couldn’t pass.
“I have never participated in any Olympics. I have never seen them. I thought it would be a great experience not only for policing, but also as a personal thing to be able to see the sights and everything.”
Officers were asked to volunteer to cover the games and Insp. Warren Dosko said the detachment had far more officers willing to go than they could possibly send.
He said the detachment has a plan in place so the officers won’t be missed and he doesn’t expect residents will notice any difference.
“We have cancelled all of our leave and we have cancelled all of our training,” he said. “It is not a real big impact on us.”
He said the officers headed to the games come from several different departments at the detachment as well, so any burden will be spread out.
“We have spread it out [across] the detachment’s departments so there won’t be a big impact.”
Const. Sherrie Choo, another one of the Olympic-bound officers, said she is looking forward to going to Vancouver to see friends there, but was also excited to be part of the games.
“I think it is a once in a lifetime experience to be able to work at an Olympics like this.”
Choo is not yet sure what her role will be at the games, but is scheduled to leave in late January for about a month in Vancouver.
Blumel has already been assigned to bike patrol in Vancouver and said he is looking forward to the experience.
“I have done mountain bike patrol before and it is a lot of fun. I really like it.”
Dosko said the members going to the Olympics will also be learning some important lessons they will be able to apply when they get back.
“It is a great opportunity for these members to see a huge security situation up close and to learn from it.”
He added, the deployment of the members will have no financial impact on the city because as soon as the officers step on the plane, they are not being paid through the St. Albert budget.
Dosko also doesn’t anticipate having to bill for any overtime because of the cancellation of training and leave.
