Motorcades and Sirens: Calgary trains for G7 with multi-agency security drills

Noticed sirens and sleek black cars zipping through Calgary?

It’s not a movie shoot, it is motorcade preparation for the upcoming G7 Summit in Kananaskis, and the city is playing a key role.

The operation involves a coordinated team: Calgary Police, RCMP, Alberta Sheriffs and Edmonton Police all training together. But what should people do if they find themselves caught in one?

“Pay attention to where the police officers are around them and do exactly as they’ve been asked to do,” says Insp. Robbie Patterson, the lead for G7 motorcade escorts.

Patterson also asks for people to have patience.

“We know that we’re getting in the middle of your day, but it’s absolutely critical we’re able to do this to not just keep those delegates safe, but to also keep our motorists and our pedestrians safe.”

Each motorcade can include up to 40 vehicles, backed by over 50 police motorcycles. And while it may be tempting to pull over and capture the scene, Patterson says don’t.

“I know it’s really exciting to see them,” he says. “It’s great to film from the road, or from your balcony, but please do not stop your car on the side of the road to film the motorcades, because that just creates another hazard for us to navigate around.”

Patterson says the training runs through June 14, with actual G7 motorcade escorts rolling out between June 14 and 18.

He says most drills will happen between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Next week routes will expand beyond Calgary to places like Cochrane, Airdrie, Okotoks — even all the way to Kananaskis.

Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft will also have an increased presence in the Kananaskis region as part of the security efforts for the summit in June.

A report to the Calgary Police Commission earlier this year says police expect about 70 official guests, 2,000 delegates and 1,400 journalists will be in the area between Calgary and Kananaskis for the summit.

Police forces from across Canada will support security efforts, including authorities from Edmonton, Winnipeg and Vancouver.

The G7 brings together leaders from Canada, the United States, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy, as well as the European Union. It was confirmed earlier this month that U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend.