After last fall’s deadly attack at the National War Memorial, Ottawa police will take up duties guarding the sentries who watch over it.
The new security will start on Thursday, when the ceremonial guards resume their posts for the season at the War Memorial.
The Department of National Defence has reached a $425,000 deal with Ottawa police to provide security at the site.
The contract goes into effect nearly six months after Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was shot and killed while standing guard at the War Memorial on the morning of Oct. 22, 2014.
The gunman Michael Zehaf-Bibeau then stormed Parliament Hill, where he was shot and killed by the Sergeant-at-Arms.
Off-duty Ottawa police officers will be in full uniform at the War Memorial, and stand alongside the unarmed sentries for their daily shifts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The public will not have direct access to the sentries, but they will be able to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The contract will continue until November 10, marking the end of the sentry program for the year.
