Protective Policing Services

• Overview
• Canadian Dignitaries
• Foreign Dignitaries
• Major Events
• Air Travel

Overview

Protective Policing business line is part of Federal Services provided by the RCMP. In the 1950s and 1960s, RCMP members were assigned to Canadian dignitaries and major visits for ceremonial presence as well as for security.

It is only in the 1970s that Protective Policing was established as an independent, identifiable function within the RCMP.

Protection is extended to Canadian and foreign dignitaries, persons designated by the Minister of Public Safety, major events held in Canada, and Canadian air carriers.

Canadian Dignitaries

The RCMP is mandated at all times, during both private and official functions, for the personal protection of the Governor General of Canada, the Prime Minister, their families and residences. When traveling abroad, the Governor General and the Prime Minister are accompanied by Protective Policing members. These members maintain communication with local protective and law enforcement authorities, ensuring that appropriate levels of protection are provided.

The security measures implemented are commensurate with the high profile positions held by the Governor General as the representative of the Head of State and of the Prime Minister as the Head of Government.

The RCMP continuously assesses the security requirements, and as a matter of practice makes recommendations to the Governor General and Prime Minister with respect to the effective delivery of security measures, which would include advice regarding transportation. For security and safety reasons, the RCMP requests that all their air movements be on government aircraft.

Protective Policing is responsible for the safety of Supreme and Federal Court judges, as well as Federal Cabinet Ministers. Protective Policing also secure designated protected sites, including the grounds of Parliament Hill, Rideau Hall, and the Supreme Court of Canada. It also has a Traffic Unit that is responsible for enforcing provincial and federal traffic acts on National Capital Commission roadways in the National Capital Region.

Foreign Dignitaries

Internationally Protected Persons, such as Heads of State and government and foreign diplomats, are provided with protection while in Canada.

Major Events

Security at significant national or international events hosted by the Federal Government, including Royal Visits and international summits fall under the mandate of Protective Policing. Additionally, certain events can be designated to receive RCMP security, such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Canadian Air Carrier Protective Program

In 2001, as a result of an initiative put forward by Transport Canada, the RCMP entered into an agreement with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) to provide specially-trained RCMP officers on board select Canadian registered aircraft.

The Canadian Air Carrier Protective Program (CACPP) was created in the aftermath of the tragic events of September 11, 2001 at the request of Transport Canada, the lead agency in this National Security initiative. Protective Policing is responsible for the deployment of In Flight Security Officers (IFSO) aboard selected domestic and international flights.

Under the RCMP's Protective Policing, the mandate of the CACPP is to ensure the protection of Canadian and international air travelers by placing highly trained covert officers on board selected Canadian-registered domestic, transborder and international passenger flights.