5,000 students hired as security for Pan Am Games

Various guests along with Chris Hadfield, third left, Simon Whitfield, Catriona Le May Doan and Premier Kathleen Wynne pose for a photo during the announcement of the route for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Torch Relay earlier this month. (Hannah Yoon/The Canadian Press)

BRAMPTON, Ont. – Ontario Provincial Police say more than 5,000 college youth enrolled in police and justice programs are being recruited to provide security for the 2015 Toronto Pan Am Games.

The OPP says it is working in partnership with Contemporary Security Canada, a company that also provided security for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, to hire the personnel for the Games that open on July 10.

The provincial police — which is the lead agency in charge of security for the Games — says students in police foundations and security management programs can apply for the jobs, which include guards, screeners and venue supervisors.

Contemporary Security Canada says anyone with a high school diploma and an Ontario Security Licence can apply, and promises to provide those who qualify with "exceptional training and competitive compensation."

The company held a campus recruitment session in Ottawa last month and opened a temporary centre in Kitchener on Monday, with more centres expected to open in Niagara Falls and London over the next few weeks.

About 6,000 athletes from 41 countries are expected to participate at the Games, which are being held at venues across southern Ontario.

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