Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 10/02) - Six Yellowknife RCMP officers were in Kananaskis, Alta. late last month to assist with security for the G8 Summit.

Sgt. Al McCambridge and Cpl. Charlotte Joa were two of the local RCMP officers assigned to the activist liaison unit. The unit was comprised of RCMP crisis negotiators and support staff.

"Our function was to liaise with demonstrators and protesters during the G8 itself," said McCambridge.

The mandate for this year's summit focused mainly on fighting terrorism and strengthening the global economy.

A number of demonstration groups and a group of 60 to 70 Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) protesters did embark upon the team of negotiators, but McCambridge said operations went smoothly.

"It was busy for us, but it was peaceful," he said.

Sgt. Phil Johnson of the Yellowknife RCMP said McCambridge and the other Yellowknife officers were specifically asked to participate in G8 security because of their past experience and special skills.

McCambridge and Joa have each received special training as RCMP crisis hostage negotiators.

For McCambridge, it was the first G8 Summit he has participated in as an RCMP member and he says he wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of another such opportunity.

"It was very challenging, very demanding and very rewarding," he said.