Chinese Premier Li Qiang was only in Canberra for around 24 hours, but behind the scenes the security arrangements for his visit took months to plan and involved hundreds of police officers from across the capital.
All hands were on deck in the pre-dawn chill as officers from across Canberra gathered for a briefing of the day’s plan outside the Chinese premier’s hotel.
ACT Policing Acting Commander Richard Breiner, the operational commander for the visit, told the gathered officers their job was to “ensure that the dignity of the motorcade isn’t interrupted”.
Officers’ roles ranged from venue and route security to riding in the Chinese premier’s motorcade.
ACT Policing Detective Inspector Stephen Ladd said the early-morning overview was to ensure all police on duty were aware of their roles and responsibilities.
“We want to make sure that police act professionally throughout the day, and shine a good light on the [Australian Federal Police] and ACT Policing,” he said.
Police weren’t the only early risers anticipating Li Qiang’s movements, with both pro and anti-Chinese demonstrators waiting outside his hotel and along the streets his motorcade would travel.
Detective Inspector Ladd, the route security commander, said his team’s main concern was to ensure protesters did not cause problems.
“Everyone is Australia has the right to peacefully protest,” he said.
“Our job here is to make sure they don’t play up, and that everyone remains safe and gets through the day without dramas.”
Police have confirmed one protester was arrested for breach of the peace.
Acting Commander Breiner said the protester’s arrest was “not a high-level offence”, but police decided to step in “to prevent anything escalating”.
He emphasised that police respected people’s right to protest, but said they “want them to do it peacefully”.
As demonstrations became heated outside Parliament House the motorcade mounted up, and once Li Qiang was aboard they quickly rolled out.
Even the short trip from the Chinese premier’s hotel to Parliament House was carefully choreographed.
ACT Policing Inspector Rod Anderson, the motorcade commander, said it included specialist vehicles to ensure Li Qiang’s travel around the capital went according to plan.
“The motorcyclists ensure the traffic is clear, and we have cars that go out in advance of the motorcade itself to ensure the crowd is clear,” he said.
As the motorcade headed to Government House, police commanders were watching live route maps and CCTV from afar at the Police Operations Centre (POC).
Acting Commander Breiner, whose role as operational commander had him based at the POC, said being there allowed those in charge to monitor and adjust their plans where needed.
“The POC is stood up for a major event or a large-scale visit such as this,” he said.
“Our job is to provide that strategic level overlay … versus the operational effect which is done by our police commanders out in the field.
“Having a look at the CCTV allows us to coordinate things such as … green light corridors for a safe passage of our VIP in between his events.”
Inspector Anderson said no matter how carefully planned an event like the Chinese premier’s visit was traffic delays were unavoidable.
“We need to ensure the safety and dignity of the person that we’re escorting [because] they’re very important people to the Australian government [and] therefore the Australian community,” Inspector Anderson said
“Sometimes it does mean we need to close roads down, and sometimes there is a little bit of inconvenience to the Canberra community, but we’ve got a really good road network here and we’re well trained to ensuring there’s as little disruption to the public as possible.”
Acting Commander Breiner agreed traffic delays were unavoidable, and added media releases are sent out prior to events encouraging the public to avoid areas where traffic would be affected.
“It’s regrettable … [but] unfortunately it’s just an unavoidable part of living in the nation’s capital,” he said.
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