OTTAWA POLICE OFFICER, DOG SWEEPING FOR EXPLOSIVES AT PARIS OLYMPICS

An Ottawa police officer and his canine partner are in Paris for this year’s Olympic Games to help ensure the safety of athletes and attendees.

Const. David Guy and his dog, Beci, are part of a team of over 1,900 police reinforcements from more than 40 countries.

The duo is tasked with pre-sweeping venues to ensure they are free of explosives.

“I never imagined I’d find myself in Paris with a bomb-sniffing dog, searching these venues,” Guy told CBC Radio’s Ottawa Morning last week. “This is the best experience I’ve ever had.”

He explained that officers are divided into teams with their dogs and assigned specific zones to ensure each area is thoroughly checked for hazards.

“We worked at the equestrian venue in Versailles, and the work they’ve done there is stunning. The grounds are enormous,” Guy said.

“They took us around the back of the equestrian center in a golf cart, and we got a view of the back of the Château de Versailles and its gardens. It’s absolutely breathtaking.”

K9 Teams Worldwide Gather in Paris

Beci, a German Shorthaired Pointer, is a single-purpose explosive detection dog.

“He’s a very hard-working dog who is focused solely on searching for scents. Normally, he would be used for bird hunting, so his natural instincts are well-suited for this role,” Guy said.

But it’s not all work and no play. Guy mentioned that he uses a reward system with Beci, giving him his favorite toys after a job well done.

“The weather here is fantastic, and he’s having the time of his life,” he added, joking that Beci might not want to return to Ottawa.

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) stated that Guy has been an officer for 23 years and has been with the K9 unit since 2018.

According to a social media post by OPS, there are 29 other K9 teams in Paris, including one from Alberta. Teams from countries such as Norway, Sweden, Estonia, and Cyprus are also participating.

Paris Prepares

France has been on high alert leading up to the Games, with French authorities confirming they spoiled multiple attempts to disrupt the event.

During the Olympics, over 10,000 athletes will compete across various venues, with millions of visitors expected to attend.

Paris is deploying 35,000 police officers daily throughout the Games, which run until August 11. Additionally, 10,000 soldiers are involved in security operations across the Paris region.