WATCH: The sentries are back standing guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. They remain unarmed, despite last fall’s deadly attack, but they are not as vulnerable as the day Cpl. Nathan Cirillo died. Jacques Bourbeau explains.
OTTAWA – When the sentries who watch over the National War Memorial return to their post today following last year’s deadly attack, Ottawa police officers will be watching their backs.
The Department of National Defence says it is paying the Ottawa Police Service an estimated $425,000 for uniformed officers to protect the unarmed sentries starting today through to November.
There will also be stanchions placed around the sentries and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as an added security measure.
The move comes after the Oct. 22 attack in which Michael Zehaf Bibeau fatally shot honour guard Cpl. Nathan Cirillo in the back at the National War Memorial, then burst into Centre Block before being killed in a hail of bullets near the Library of Parliament.
National Defence says it hired the Ottawa police because it doesn’t have jurisdiction over the National War Memorial site.
The Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force rotate sentries throughout the year.
WATCH: A detail of sentries were posted at the National War Memorial Thursday – but they weren’t alone.
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