File # 2009-ISU
2009-10-21 09:01 PDT

VANCOUVER, BC: As the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay makes its way across Canada, the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Security Team is focussed on keeping the flame ablaze and the torchbearers safe. Under the responsibility of the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit (V2010 ISU) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) Protective Policing branch, the security team is comprised of members of the RCMP and 23 other policing agencies across Canada. Members of this team will accompany the relay across the country to protect the flame itself, as well as the expected 12,000 torchbearers who will participate along the route.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay is a significant and complex security undertaking involving over 1,000 communities. To mark this special event, 189 community celebrations are planned along the 106 day, 45,000 km journey.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Security Team works closely with local police in each community the relay is passing through to facilitate the smooth progress of the relay. These police of jurisdiction are responsible for traffic management and security at each of the community celebration sites where the torch will stop, and for managing peaceful demonstrations along the torch route, as well as any potential public order issues that may arise within their areas of jurisdiction.

For media inquiries regarding the security of the Torch, the Flame and the torchbearers, please call the V2010 ISU Media line at 604-247-8600 or toll-free at 1-877-646-2010.

For media inquires regarding issues of traffic management, crowd control, public order or security along the Torch route, contact the police in the community you are inquiring about.

More information about the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay is available at: www.vancouver2010.com.

Released by
V2010 – Integrated Security Unit - Media Relations
Phone: (604) 247-8600

Email: bcrcmp@rcmp-grc.gc.ca