In this article we will explore the topic of Integrated Security Unit from different perspectives and approaches, with the aim of providing a comprehensive and complete vision of this topic. Throughout the text, we will analyze both its origins and its relevance today, as well as its possible implications and consequences. Likewise, we will examine different studies and research that have been carried out around Integrated Security Unit, in order to offer an academic and scientifically based vision. Ultimately, this article seeks to provide the reader with a deep and detailed insight into Integrated Security Unit, so that they can acquire solid and complete knowledge on the subject.
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An Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG) (French: Groupe intégré de la sécurité - GIS), formerly known as an Integrated Security Unit (ISU), is a unified and coordinated task force comprising multiple law enforcement agencies in Canada. It is responsible for coordinating the safety and security for major national and international events, including the G7 Summit and the Olympics. This administrative and operational entity was first created by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in 2003.
In 2003, the RCMP formed an ISSG for the 2010 Winter Olympics and for the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver. Subsequently, another ISSG was formed for the 2009 World Police and Fire Games. In 2010, the RCMP formed an ISSG to coordinate security planning and operations for the 36th G8 Summit in Huntsville (Ontario) and the 2010 G20 Summit in Toronto (Ontario). In 2015, an ISSG was activated for the 2015 Pan American Games and 2015 Parapan American Games held in Ontario. In 2018, the RCMP formed an ISSG to support the G7 Summit in La Malbaie, Quebec. Finally, in 2024, an ISSG has been created to lead safety and security efforts to the 2025 G7 Summit, to be held in Kananaskis, Alberta.
The 13th World Police and Fire Games were held at Metro Vancouver in the summer of 2009. For the protection of international athletes and due to the presence of firearms in competition, importation of pharmaceutical products, and other restricted articles under Canadian law, the BC2009WPFGISU was formed to integrate all regulatory function.[1]
Members included:
The initial Integrated Safety and Security Group, then known as Integrated Security Unit, was established in 2003.
The Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit (V2010 ISU or VISU) was initially started with a budget of $175 million CAD, the final expenditure was over $900 million.[2] Private security cost $100 million.[3]
The unit consisted of approximately 16,000 police, military and private security personnel:[4][5]
The unit was scaled down to 750 local RCMP officers, 500 military personnel and less than 6,000 private security personnel for the Paralympic Games.[14]
The Toronto Police, Ontario Provincial Police, the RCMP, York Regional Police[16] and the Peel Regional Police had formed an ISU for the 2010 G20 Summit in Toronto, along with help from Canadian Armed Forces.
The Toronto Police Service and the OPP focused on providing policing at the G20 Summit site in downtown Toronto and immediate security zone. As for Toronto Pearson International Airport, the Canadian Armed Forces and Peel Regional Police focused their operations within the airport and its perimeter. For the G8 Summit in Huntsville (Ontario), the OPP, the RCMP and the Canadian Forces provided the main security coverage.
Approximately 1,600 police officers were mobilized from outside the Grand Toronto Area (GTA):
The ISU was activated again for the 2015 Pan American Games and 2015 Parapan American Games held in the Greater Toronto Area. It consisted of 10 police units:[23]
Additional units included:
The OPP was the lead agency of the ISU for this event.[24]
An ISU was activated for the 2018 G7 Summit held in La Malbaie, QC.[25] The RCMP was the lead agency and partnered with the following agencies: