Following the recent assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump, The Hub’s editor-at-large Sean Speer discussed with regular contributor Stephen Staley—who formerly assisted Prime Minister Stephen Harper—about Canada’s methods for safeguarding the prime minister against threats.
SEAN SPEER: What is the relative role of the prime minister’s protective detail versus local law enforcement during travel?
STEPHEN STALEY: Before we get into details, I must acknowledge that the U.S. Secret Service operates differently and more complexly than Canada’s system. In Canada, the RCMP is responsible for the security of the PM, the governor general, and international dignitaries. The Prime Minister’s Protective Detail (PMPD) within the RCMP manages the PM’s security, supported by local RCMP “VIP protection” units.
Led by PMPD, additional local and regional police forces assist depending on the PM’s location, handling duties such as traffic control and site security. A distinct RCMP unit takes the lead, collaborating with other RCMP units and local police forces.
SEAN SPEER: What does advance work for a prime ministerial event entail in terms of security? How are potential threats identified, and who leads these efforts?
STEPHEN STALEY: A significant amount of preparation is involved. We would scout venues with the RCMP to assess risks and logistical issues, considering access points, threat levels, entrance and exit points, and backup options. The RCMP collaborates with its intelligence unit and local authorities for broad threat assessments.
We, the advance team, also took our role seriously, consulting with local colleagues to gauge potential protests or hostilities. Once venues were selected, we ensured no access points were unguarded and maintained sufficient protection for public areas.
SEAN SPEER: How much is the prime minister briefed on personal security issues before public events?
STEPHEN STALEY: This depends on the specifics. Generally, we avoid burdening the principal with minor logistical details unless there are significant risks. We would inform him of expected disruptions or exposed venues to prepare for possible interruptions, following the principle of “no surprises.”
SEAN SPEER: What are the rules of engagement for dealing with threats, and who makes those decisions?
STEPHEN STALEY: The RCMP handles real security threats with clear protocols. Those involved in logistics and planning receive training from the RCMP to understand their reactions in various scenarios. In a threat situation, the RCMP takes over to protect and evacuate the principal quickly. For less severe threats, there is more discussion with security, and we follow their advice.
Security looks on as Conservative leader Stephen Harper makes a campaign stop in Clarington, Ontario, August 26, 2015. Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press.
SEAN SPEER: Based on your experience and recent events, what changes do you think are needed to strengthen the protection of Canada’s prime minister?
STEPHEN STALEY: The recent events in Pennsylvania highlight the importance of accountability in security. The primary protective force must identify and supplement any gaps from other police forces. Trust between central security units and local forces is crucial. Over time, we built significant trust with PMPD, but the RCMP bureaucracy has moved towards a regional model, which may compromise protection standards. Any trade-off on security for resourcing or other objectives needs careful consideration to avoid catastrophic outcomes.
Following the recent assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump, The Hub’s editor-at-large Sean Speer discussed with regular contributor Stephen Staley—who formerly assisted Prime Minister Stephen Harper—about Canada’s methods for safeguarding the prime minister against threats.
SEAN SPEER: What is the relative role of the prime minister’s protective detail versus local law enforcement during travel?
STEPHEN STALEY: Before we get into details, I must acknowledge that the U.S. Secret Service operates differently and more complexly than Canada’s system. In Canada, the RCMP is responsible for the security of the PM, the governor general, and international dignitaries. The Prime Minister’s Protective Detail (PMPD) within the RCMP manages the PM’s security, supported by local RCMP “VIP protection” units.
Led by PMPD, additional local and regional police forces assist depending on the PM’s location, handling duties such as traffic control and site security. A distinct RCMP unit takes the lead, collaborating with other RCMP units and local police forces.
SEAN SPEER: What does advance work for a prime ministerial event entail in terms of security? How are potential threats identified, and who leads these efforts?
STEPHEN STALEY: A significant amount of preparation is involved. We would scout venues with the RCMP to assess risks and logistical issues, considering access points, threat levels, entrance and exit points, and backup options. The RCMP collaborates with its intelligence unit and local authorities for broad threat assessments.
We, the advance team, also took our role seriously, consulting with local colleagues to gauge potential protests or hostilities. Once venues were selected, we ensured no access points were unguarded and maintained sufficient protection for public areas.
SEAN SPEER: How much is the prime minister briefed on personal security issues before public events?
STEPHEN STALEY: This depends on the specifics. Generally, we avoid burdening the principal with minor logistical details unless there are significant risks. We would inform him of expected disruptions or exposed venues to prepare for possible interruptions, following the principle of “no surprises.”
SEAN SPEER: What are the rules of engagement for dealing with threats, and who makes those decisions?
STEPHEN STALEY: The RCMP handles real security threats with clear protocols. Those involved in logistics and planning receive training from the RCMP to understand their reactions in various scenarios. In a threat situation, the RCMP takes over to protect and evacuate the principal quickly. For less severe threats, there is more discussion with security, and we follow their advice.
Security looks on as Conservative leader Stephen Harper makes a campaign stop in Clarington, Ontario, August 26, 2015. Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press.
SEAN SPEER: Based on your experience and recent events, what changes do you think are needed to strengthen the protection of Canada’s prime minister?
STEPHEN STALEY: The recent events in Pennsylvania highlight the importance of accountability in security. The primary protective force must identify and supplement any gaps from other police forces. Trust between central security units and local forces is crucial. Over time, we built significant trust with PMPD, but the RCMP bureaucracy has moved towards a regional model, which may compromise protection standards. Any trade-off on security for resourcing or other objectives needs careful consideration to avoid catastrophic outcomes.
The article presents a discussion between Sean Speer, editor-at-large of The Hub, and Stephen Staley, a former executive assistant to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, about the security protocols in place for Canada’s prime minister, especially in light of the recent assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Key Points:
- Security Responsibility: In Canada, the RCMP is responsible for the prime minister’s protective security through a specialized unit called the Prime Minister’s Protective Detail (PMPD). This unit works alongside local and regional police forces when the prime minister travels.
- Advance Work: Detailed advance work is conducted for prime ministerial events, involving venue scouting, threat assessment, and logistical planning. Both the PMPD and the prime minister’s team contribute to these preparations.
- Briefing the Prime Minister: The prime minister is typically not burdened with minor logistical details but is briefed on significant risks and potential disruptions to ensure no surprises during public events.
- Rules of Engagement: The RCMP has clear protocols for handling security threats, prioritizing the prime minister’s immediate safety. In less severe situations, there is more room for discussion with the security team.
- Improving Security: Staley stresses that primary protective forces must take full accountability for any security gaps, regardless of the involvement of local police. He reflects on the trade-offs between using a centralized security unit versus more distributed local resources, emphasizing the need for uncompromising principal security.
Staley concludes by suggesting that recent events in Pennsylvania highlight the importance of maintaining robust and uncompromised security protocols to prevent catastrophic outcomes.