Protective Policing

On this page

1. Protective Operations
2. Protective Operations Support
3. Protective Intelligence
4. Major Events Coordination Centre
5. Specialized Air and Ground Response Unit

Protective Operations

Protective Operations combines the Close Protection Units and the Uniform Division.

The Close Protection Units protect individuals listed under Section 14(1)(e) of the RCMP Regulations, such as the Prime Minister of Canada, the Governor General, Justices judges of the Supreme Court of Canada, ministers of the Crown in right of Canada and Internationally Protected Persons (such as visiting foreign heads of state and heads of government).

The Uniform Division is the tactical protective response group that directly addresses threats around protected individuals and sites. Their work is fast-paced and is an essential tool in keeping our protectees safe.

This group includes:

• Protective Response Team
• Official Residence Response Team
• Emergency Response Team
• Critical Incident Program
• Protective Police Dog Service
• National Capital Region Traffic Services and Court Liaison Unit
• Supreme Court of Canada Detachment
  

Protective Operations Support

Operations Support includes the Protective Operations Coordination Center, which serves as the hub of Protective Policing. It is where all requests for service and intelligence are received, and is the starting point for analyses and deployments. Operations Support also coordinates all protective training and administrative services and provides oversight and governance to the program.

Protective Intelligence

Protective Intelligence compiles information and intelligence that is relevant to protective operations. The RCMP's protective responses rely heavily on these analyses to assess risk and threat. The Protective Intelligence team is highly active with extensive networks both across Canada and internationally.

This group includes:

• Protective Intelligence Unit (focused primarily on open source and social media)
• Protective Threat Assessment
• Protective Behavioural Analysis Unit
  

Major Events Coordination Centre

The RCMP's Major Events Coordination Centre has the mandate to oversee the planning, the operational delivery and close-out of designated major events where the RCMP is the lead federal security agency.

For other federal events held in Canada that Internationally Protected Persons are expected attend and where the federal government is responsible for overall security, the Prime Minister may designate the event as a Major Event. On other occasions the Foreign Missions and International Organizations Act is invoked making the RCMP responsible for ensuring the proper functioning of the event.

In these instances, the Major Events Coordination Centre will establish an Integrated Security Unit with security representatives from all levels of government and a Combined Intelligence Group with implicated law enforcement partners.

With its expertise in establishing command structures for government-led events and international sporting events in Canada, this centre may also be called upon to assist local police services in forming an Integrated Security Unit in the case of unforeseen events. This assistance may include providing guidance and support in logistics, resource mobilization, and the development of an integrated intelligence group for effective information sharing.

Specialized Air and Ground Response Unit

In 2002, the Government of Canada initiated the Canadian Air Carrier Protective Program as a response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. This program is designed to safeguard the travelling public from threats, both within airports and on select domestic and international flights.