Sarnia police chief won’t disclose armed deployment plans for Remembrance Day

Mike Federico says police will provide security at Veterans Park but won’t disclose deployment details. The police board says operational decisions rest with the chief.

Sarnia’s police chief Mike Federico refuses to disclose whether officers with long guns will again be stationed overlooking Veterans Park during this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony.

Speaking in a recent interview in his office, Federico said police operational plans are not made public for “almost every activity we’re engaged in.” “We do not want to be exposing ourselves to any planned activity that might put either officers or the community at risk” by revealing details of security arrangements ahead of time.

He said officers will be assigned to “general security issues” in the park this year, and will be participating in the parade as usual. Federico told the Journal he is not aware of any specific concern about this year’s event.

Federico compared the police presence at the Remembrance Day ceremony to the work officers do at many crowded public events such as directing traffic, guiding the public if roads are closed, or “providing a presence to reassure the community that the event they’re attending is safe.”

Online photos from the 2024 ceremony showed officers with rifles stationed overlooking the park.

Federico did not say what measures officers would take to avoid disturbances at the ceremony this year. Officers will “take their cues” from the Legion in dealing with any issues this year. The Legion did not reply to several requests for comment.

The chief did not offer explanations for the deployment of officers with rifles in past years. “Any activity that people observe police engaged in is a product of careful consideration of what the community needs in terms of public safety,” he said. “We will take the steps to keep our community safe and healthy. And they will be steps that are lawful, thoughtful, and effective,” he added.

Starting in 2014 Canadian police forces started increasing security at Remembrance Day gatherings, following the shooting death of a ceremonial guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa less than a month before Remembrance Day. The gunman then entered the Parliament buildings and was killed in an exchange of gunfire involving House of Commons security and RCMP officers. Federico said he is not sure when officers were first stationed overlooking Veterans Park in Sarnia.

The chair of Sarnia’s Police Services Board told the Journal by email she could not comment on matters relating to police operations or deployment at Remembrance Day because those are under the authority of the chief. Kelly Ash said the board “does not direct or oversee specific police operations, deployment decisions, threat assessments, investigative activities, or tactical policing measures.”