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Original estimate for 'security' at the 'games' - $171 million

Olympic security team members sent home over 'unbecoming' conduct

By Damian Inwood and Lindsay Kines, Canwest Olympic TeamFebruary 20, 2010


  VANCOUVER -- The security force for the Vancouver Olympics is facing controversy after it emerged Friday that some of its police and military members have been sent home and accused of "unbecoming" conduct -- including an allegation of shoplifting.

The Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit issued a statement Friday night saying an officer from Ottawa faces a count of theft under $5,000 from a retail store in the Vancouver suburb of Burnaby. That officer is Staff Sgt. Suzanne Denise Marie Martel, a 19-year RCMP veteran, who has been accused of shoplifting while off duty.

Martel has been relieved of her duties with the security unit, and sent back to her home unit in Ottawa, where her duty status will be reviewed. Crown counsel approved the charge against Martel on Wednesday. She is slated to appear in court in April. News of the allegations against Martel followed a statement earlier in the day that Vancouver police are investigating two other incidents involving two security team members.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Mike Cote said that in total nearly a dozen Integrated Security Unit members have been sent home for various code of conduct and ethical violations, including four Canadian Forces members and seven police officers. "The Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit and all ISU member agencies have set a zero tolerance standard for any behaviour that could be considered in direct conflict with each organization's core values and code of ethics or Canada's laws," the security unit said in its news release. Cote said offences could range from failing to show up for work on time to being drunk and disorderly.

Cote wouldn't comment on allegations the incidents under investigation involved sexual assaults against fellow officers aboard cruise ships where many of the 10,000 Vancouver Integrated Security Unit (ISU) military and police officers are being billeted.

"There are two members of the ISU that are under investigation by the Vancouver Police Department," said Cote on Friday. "I don't know where the sexual assault allegations come from. Suffice it to say there are two incidences being investigated in relation to ISU members." Cote agreed that if they involved "code-of-conduct" breaches, the incidents would be investigated by the RCMP under the RCMP Act, rather than by a municipal police force. But he refused to say if the allegations involved criminal offences, referring questions to the Vancouver Police Department. Cote strenuously denied allegations that prostitutes had been taken aboard the ships, which are moored at Ballantyne Pier.

"There's been a lot of rumours and innuendoes about life on the ships for our security workforce," he said. "I'd like to make it clear right here, right now -- there's been allegations of sex-trade workers being brought on the ship and so on -- I can emphatically state today that that is absolutely not true. "None of those incidences ever took place. It's a little disturbing painting our security workforce with such a wide brush." He said he would leave it up to reporters' imaginations. "I think we all know what kind of conduct would be unbecoming a police officer," Cote added. "There's a slew of examples that would fit that bill. I'm not prepared to discuss the exact incidents with regards to the members being sent away."

When pushed, he agreed it could include drunk and disorderly behaviour or using a police badge "for privilege" to gain access to nightclubs. But he refused to say if those were any of the reasons members of the Integrated Security Unit were sent home. He said to have 11 members of a workforce of 10,000 sent home was an "extremely minimal number."

dinwood@theprovince.com

By NEAL HALL, Vancouver SunFebruary 19, 2010

Leprosy diagnosed on Olympic security cruise ship

VANCOUVER -- Health officials confirmed Friday a crew member has a case of leprosy aboard a cruise ship anchored in the city's harbour that houses police and Canadian Forces personnel providing security for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is curable and is not considered highly contagious, said provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall.

He said the young crew member worked in the engine room and did not have contact with police or military.

The crew member, who is not a Canadian citizen, was diagnosed Thursday and has received treatment, he said. "I think he's gone home or is on his way home," Kendall said, pointing out that the risk of passing the disease to others was very low. "The only risk is if the person had close personal contact," Kendall said, adding B.C. only sees one or two cases a year of leprosy.

He said all other crew members were examined by doctors and given a dose of antibiotic as a precaution. No further cases were detected, he said. Still, anyone aboard the ship concerned about the risk of contracting the disease is asked to talk to their occupational health doctor. There are about 7,500 police and military being housed aboard three cruise ships during the Vancouver Olympics, which continue through Feb. 28.

Contrary to myth, leprosy does not cause body parts such as fingers and toes to fall off. It is caused by a bacteria that primarily attacks the peripheral nerves and upper respiratory tract, with skin lesions being the main external sign of the disease. Left untreated, it can get progressively worse, causing permanent damage to the eyes, limbs and skin. It is believed leprosy first came to Canada through immigration and infected sailors aboard ships. Fear of the disease in the late 19th century caused those with leprosy to be sent to leper colony on D'Arcy Island, east of Vancouver Island., from 1894 until 1924.

nhall@vancouversun.com