Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe now has a protective detail provided by the RCMP. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Protecting the premier

Moe gets dedicated RCMP protection

Jan 21, 2020 | 5:49 PM

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is now receiving regular protection from the RCMP, after it was determined a bolstering of his security was required. The move brings him in line with most of his counterparts elsewhere in Canada.

In an email to paNOW, the premier’s press secretary Jim Billington said Moe had been assigned a protective detail. Billington explained the RCMP began protecting Moe at the start of the month.

“It was determined that security measures in place for the Premier of Saskatchewan needed to be strengthened, and that a small protective detail was necessary for the security of the Premier,” he wrote.

According to Billington, Moe’s security is similar to what is in place for the majority of Canada’s other premiers.

Billington declined to provide further details citing the sensitive nature of the topic.

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Officers equipped with ear pieces and guns, were seen at Hockey Day in Shellbrook festivities Saturday where Moe was taking in the Mintos v Contacts game and at the wrap up banquet for the event.

George Smith, deputy communications director for British Columbia’s Premier confirmed with paNOW that John Horgan is provided with protection by the RCMP. According to Smith this has been a longstanding practice. He added for obvious reasons they do not provide specific comments on Horgan’s security.

Neil Lettis superintendent of the Alberta Sheriff Executive Protection Unit wrote in an email the premier of Alberta along with the Lieutenant Governor are protected by Alberta Sheriffs. Lettis said the unit also protects members of cabinet and visiting dignitaries when needed.

paNOW reached out to the office of the premier of Manitoba but calls were not returned.

Meanwhile, Todd Hrabok, owner and CEO of Saskatoon Private Investigations and Security, who regularly provides body-guard protection to clients, explained people in the public eye, like politicians often receive threats.

“At times you may have individuals who feel strongly on policies that are not behaving rationally and either do not think or care about the consequences of their actions,” he said.

Hrabok said a good example of this is when former Prime Minister Jean Chretien had a pie thrown in his face. He added former Minister of the Environment Catherine McKenna being verbally accosted at a movie theatre with her children is another example.

When providing body guard security to a high profile person, Hrabok said security professionals are always paying close attention to detail. He said the biggest fear is someone bringing some sort of weapon to an event which could lead to people being hurt.

“You’ve always got to have eyes in the back of your head, you’re always looking around, you’re always looking at everyone’s body language,” he said.

MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn