Ottawa police unit on Parliament Hill to be fully staffed

A new unit of Ottawa police officers will be patrolling Parliament Hill, and it will be fully staffed by the end of next year. The Ottawa Police Service is creating this unit with support from a federal funding boost of $50 million over five years. This funding will help hire 40 sworn officers and nine civilian staff members. The new Police Liaison Team will focus on engaging with community organizations. Their goal is to build trust within the community and manage protests more effectively. This move comes after concerns for increased security around Parliament. Police Chief Eric Stubbs highlighted the importance of this initiative. He explained that it aligns with recommendations from a recent commission that examined the use of the Emergencies Act during the 2022 Freedom Convoy protests. The new unit will provide an increased police presence when Members of Parliament are in the city, which is crucial for safety. Additionally, the funding will support four full-time civilian positions for monitoring open-source intelligence. This will aid in better event management for federal events, like Canada Day and Remembrance Day. Staffing for the new unit will be phased in over the next year, with a full rollout expected by the end of 2026. The security system around Parliament involves several agencies. The Parliamentary Protective Service is responsible for security on Parliament Hill, but it relies on the Ottawa Police Service for law enforcement. The RCMP also provides security for important figures like the prime minister. The demand for security among Members of Parliament has significantly increased in recent years.