Halifax police chief had plans to be in Paris

HALIFAX – The attacks in Paris resonate deeply for Halifax’s police chief, who was supposed to be in Paris this week.

Chief Jean-Michel Blais had intended to attend Armistice Day ceremonies in Paris but scheduling conflicts forced him to cancel those plans.

RELATED: ISIS claims responsibility for Paris attacks

“[I] even had a hotel picked out, which was about 20 minutes away from where the incidents occurred last night. So for us, it touches very close to home,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "[I] even had a hotel picked out, which was about 20 minutes away from where the incidents occurred last night. So for us, it touches very close to home," he said.

The situation also hit home professionally for Blais, who knows police officers in Paris as well as the director general of the Paris police force through activities connected to the Royal International Tattoo.

READ MORE: ‘We are heartbroken’: French locals reflect following Paris attacks

Blais ordered the French flag be raised outside the police station in downtown Halifax in a show of solidarity with Parisian police officers.

“We’re not that far away from these events,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We're not that far away from these events," he said.

Halifax police on alert

As the events unfolded Friday night, Blais said he was in contact with Deputy Police Chief Bill Moore to discuss what provisions Halifax police officers should be taking.

“I asked him to look into looking at what we’re [doing], for our people to be a bit more prepared and at least a bit more vigilant,” he said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I asked him to look into looking at what we're [doing], for our people to be a bit more prepared and at least a bit more vigilant," he said.

“I wouldn’t say there was anything particularly done but at least our people were made aware of the situation.”

Blais said, from an investigative point of view, officers in Paris will have their work cut out for them.

RELATED: Security experts stunned by Paris attacks

“They want to determine, first off, who were these individuals. Secondly, what were their motives. Obviously terrorism is the blanket motive but there are more specific motives. Why did they choose, for example, the various venues that they chose. And thirdly how did they manage to get the weaponry they had. Where were the failings, if any, in the security apparatus?” he said.

Blais, who has worked and lived in various cities around the world, said he identifies with the attacks in Paris, as he does anytime there is a major incident in the world.

“Overall it’s sadness. But it’s also an opportunity to recognize we are all human beings on this planet regardless of our country of origin.”