| Parliamentary Protective Service Service de protection parlementaire | |
|---|---|
![Official emblem[a]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aParliamentary_Protective_Service.jpg) Official emblem[a] | |
| Abbreviation |
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| Agency overview | |
| Formed | June 23, 2015[1] |
| Preceding agencies |
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| Employees | ~600 (2018) |
| Annual budget | CA$91,100,000[2] |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Canada |
| Governing body | Parliament of Canada |
| Constituting instrument | |
| Operational structure | |
| Elected officers responsible | |
| Agency executive |
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| Website | |
| pps | |
TheParliamentary Protective Service (PPS;French:Service de protection parlementaire,SPP) is the office of theParliament of Canada which provides physical security within theParliamentary Precinct inOttawa,Ontario.
Policy direction is set by the speakers of theSenate andHouse of Commons.[3] PPS provides physical security services to the Parliament of Canada (members of Parliament,senators, employees, visitors and buildings of the Parliamentary Precinct), and acts as a parliamentary entity. Through an agreement made between thespeaker of the House of Commons,speaker of the Senate and minister of public safety, the PPS director is a member of theRoyal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and controls and manages the organization's daily operations.[4]
Parliamentary Protective Service is not a law enforcement agency, and its officers are not peace officers.[5] They are, however, public officers which allows them to be exempt from various weapon restrictions.[6]
TheDominion Police Force, the first federal police agency in Canada, was created in 1868. Initially comprising 12 men, the Dominion Police were responsible for the protection of federal government buildings, including the Parliament. In 1919, the Dominion Police were absorbed by theRoyal North-West Mounted Police (RNWMP), which took over responsibility for protecting federal buildings. In 1920, the RNWMP became theRoyal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Six members of the RNWMP also left to form the first dedicated parliamentary protective unit, with three assigned to the Senate and three to the House of Commons. The RCMP would continue to be responsible for protecting the exterior grounds of Parliament Hill.[7][8][9]
The Senate Protective Service was formed in 1920 and reported to theUsher of the Black Rod.[7] The House of Commons Security Services were formed in 1927. During their early years, the service's members gave guided tours of the Parliament and sold information booklets to the public.[7]
On October 22, 2014, Michael Zehaf-Bibeau evaded security and entered the Hall of Honour with a rifle and a knife after fatally shooting Corporal Nathan Cirillo ofThe Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's), injuring a constable.[10][11] In November 2014, the Joint Advisory Working Group on Security identified lack of communication among security groups at Parliament Hill as a significant problem,[12] and recommended combining the existing security forces under the Senate, the House of Commons and RCMP detachment in charge of the grounds into one integrated security service. Parliament subsequently passed Bill C-51, theAnti-terrorism Act, 2015, which among other things, amalgamated the Senate Protective Service, House of Commons Security Services and Parliament's RCMP detachment into the Parliamentary Protective Service.[8][13]
By June 23, 2015, the PPS was created by law under an amendment to theParliament of Canada Act. Thespeaker of the Senate and thespeaker of the House of Commons are responsible for the PPS.
The new Parliamentary Protective Service began, starting with changes in weaponry, radio communication and surveillance equipment.[14] One indication of increased security at Parliament Hill is the appearance of RCMP officers armed with carbines in front of the buildings.[12] About 30 new RCMP officers were added to the newly formed PPS. Amember of Parliament pointed out that not all of the officers in the unit spoke French, creating a potential for problems when directing the public during an emergency.[15]
In June 2016, the members of the new service were provided with uniforms designed to identify them as members of PPS.[16]
In November 2016, PPS constables stopped a man from entering theCentre Block with ameat cleaver.[17]
In late January to mid February 2022, demonstrators occupied the downtown core of Ottawa, including much of the Parliamentary Precinct. TheOttawa Police Service acted as the lead agency, with a number of other agencies from across Canada providing support.[18] The PPS was responsible for security atParliament Hill, and theSenate of Canada Building.
The PPS uses a similar ranks system to the RCMP, with the Director being a Chief Superintendent on secondment from the RCMP.[19] The Officer-in-Charge of PPS Operations holds the rank of superintendent, team managers hold the rank of sergeant, supervisors hold the rank of corporal, and officers with no leadership responsibility hold the rank of constable.[20][21]
| Director | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| Mitch Monette | 27 November 2023 | Active |
| Larry Brookson (Acting) | 2022 | 27 November 2023 |
| Kevin Leahy | 10 June 2019 | 2022 |
| Marie-Claude Côté (Interim) | 11 February 2019 | 9 June 2019 |
| Jane MacLatchy | 23 May 2017 | 8 February 2019 |
| Mike O'Beirne (Interim) | 2016 | 22 May 2017 |
| Michael Duheme | June 2015 | 2016 |
Source: Parliament of Canada[22]
