PORT SECURITY: PROPOSED CHANGES IN HALIFAX GENERATE

UNCLAS HALIFAX 000065

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT ASEC PTER KCRM ETRD CA
SUBJECT: PORT SECURITY: PROPOSED CHANGES IN HALIFAX GENERATE
CONTROVERSY

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.


1. (SBU) Press reports that the Port of Halifax is planning
significant reductions in the number of police assigned to
security have generated significant local controversy, with
politicians including the Mayor and a federal Senator denouncing
the proposal. While it is correct that the port is
re-negotiating its contract with Halifax Regional Police (HRP)
and is seeking changes in the policing services HRP provides, it
appears that the press got a part of the story but not all of
it. We remain convinced that management at the port definitely
"gets it" when it comes to security and is seeking to spend its
security money more efficiently, not cut it back.


2. (SBU) CG had a long discussion with Port of Halifax VP for
Security George Malec the day the story about security cutbacks
broke in the local press. Malec was emphatic that, far from
reducing security, the port had spent millions over the last
three years and was not planning to cut the amount spent
annually for police protection. He made the following points:

-- Halifax is the only port in Canada that has armed police
with arrest powers on the premises at all times. Other ports
use contract security services.

-- The port is renegotiating its contract with the HRP. The
previous contract negotiated three years ago had nine officers
working on shifts to provide 24 hour coverage.

-- The port pays around C$1 million/year for this coverage, and
is growing unsatisfied with the people who were being assigned
to it by the HRP. "Not always the most aggressive police
officers in town," is how Malec diplomatically put it. The port
is determined in the new contract to move away from the
"cops-riding-in-cars- eating-donuts-at-all-hours" model to one
that is more focused on possible security vulnerabilities.

-- In the last three years the port has spent about C$5 million
on improved physical security including fencing, sensors and
cameras, all of which are now monitored centrally. As a result
there is reduced need for police vehicle patrols. In addition
the port bought a high-tech, fast patrol boat that they have
given to the police department and want to see used for more
aggressive patrolling on the water.

-- The port will continue to have armed police dockside when
cruise ships call.

-- An eight member Royal Canadian Mounted Police
intelligence/undercover team is now housed at the port.
Relations with the Halifax Police port detachment and the RCMP
have apparently not been particularly good. Improving the
working relationship is one goal of the new contract with HRP.

-- The port will continue to spend around C$1million/year on
its policing contract, but will be spending the money
differently (and it hopes more effectively). For example, the
port intends to get the police out of their cars and have them
posted at the truck gates checking driver ID and documents for
every container leaving. This will make Halifax the only port
in the country with police officers with arrest powers at the
gates whenever they are open.


3. (SBU) Malec was also critical of the allocation of federal
government money for port security. Of the more than C$20
million announced about a year ago for improved security,
Halifax has received to date C$220,000, despite spending
millions on improvements directly related to security.


4. (SBU) COMMENT: We and other USG officials who have met
with senior port management have been very impressed with the
"no-nonsense" attitude toward security that pervades the
organization's culture. Port management clearly understands the
multiple negative implications of a significant security breach
and has sought every opportunity to cooperate with USG efforts
to improve security for containers that pass through the port,
as well as for the primarily American cruise ship passengers who
arrive every summer. We are confident that the port's efforts
are well-conceived and well-focused. END COMMENT.

HILL