More on Olympic Security Costs Breakdown

By BOB MACKIN, 24 HOURS, Feb 20, 2009
RICHMOND, B.C.: The cost of personnel for the RCMP-led Olympic security force is just over the original $175 million estimate for all Games security.

RCMP Asst. Comm. Bud Mercer said the $491.9 million budget for the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit includes $177.5 million for regular and secondment pay, overtime and benefits. The operations portion dominates the RCMP share of the $900 million Games security budget at $306.3 million.

Radio communications and vehicles are $8.1 million.

Mercer said the budget includes the Olympic torch relay and urban domain policing.

"Basically the enhanced policing services required by the police forces of jurisdiction within the Games security coverage area that area of a direct result of hosting the Games," Mercer explained at a news conference.

Mercer said "cost drivers" include the 370 people employed by the Richmond-based ISU in intelligence-gathering, accreditation screening and and community relations plus pre-Games training and exercises. Games-time costs include the integrated command centre and accommodation, meals and travel for 7,000 RCMP and municipal police officers from across Canada. The RCMP is also hiring 4,000 private security guards to staff airport-style checkpoints at all Games venues.

Public Safety Canada Minister Peter Van Loan announced a $900 million budget on Thursday, 51 weeks before the Games start. The new estimate is five times higher than the budget included in the 2003 Games bid.