The police officers in Grey Bruce who participated in the Vancouver Winter Olympics called it a ‘great learning opportunity.’
Four Owen Sound Police officers were part of the Olympic security team — Sergeant Mark Kielb as well as Constables Steve Beaney, Craig Matheson and Pat Rawn.
Constables Michael Boyko and Ian Sanderson from Hanover, Constable Susan Hatt from Saugeen Shores and OPP Constable Steve Starr were also in Vancouver.
Owen Sound Chief Tom Kaye says all of the officers learned a great deal about the logistics involved in what was an unprecedented national policing strategy.
About 17 hundred officers from more than 100 different Canadian forces joined several thousand RCMP members, the nation’s military and private security officers to form the Olympic policing detail.
Kaye notes a number of people approached the officers to say they’re either from this area or have family here.
It was thought that city police officers would also be invited to participate in the security for the G-8 and G-20 summits which are taking place later this year.
But Kaye says it doesn’t appear that will happen now.
Municipal officers from Toronto and elsewhere in the GTA are likely to handle that responsibility along with members of the OPP.