Bud Mercer, head of the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit and assistant commissioner of the RCMP, recently warned Vancouver City Council about the possibility of violence during the Olympics.  And that’s what 7,000 police officers, 5,000 private security officers and 4,500 Armed Forces personnel, all collectively packing $1,000,000,000, are for.

The spectre of violence, according to Mercer, not only justifies the epic security budget but also a program of relationship-building visitations with suspected protesters.  These visits are followed up by an interview with a suspected protester’s family, friends, neighbours and employer.  This deep level of contact, according to Mercer, is done so that the police can help suspected protesters plan a lawful and peaceful protest.

Public comments on the Vancouver Sun website yield an expected reference: the Montebello protest.  In 2007, the Surete du Quebec was accused of using agents provocateurs to instigate violence.  The three masked undercover officers, who raised the ire of protesters for wearing masks and carrying a rock, were reportedly in attendance to “spot and identify violent demonstrators“.

One can only hope that all this animosity and escalation will end in 16,500 well-paid but very boring temp jobs.

Tags: Freedom of Expression, Olympics, RCMP

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