Security Worker's Job Impacted After Run In With Mayor Kinsley

Wednesday, January 09, 2008 04:00 AM

Prince George, B.C. - A Prince George man says he was banned from working as a security guard at the CN Center and the Civic Center after he refused to allow Mayor Colin Kinsley passage into an event at the Royal Bank Cup. The man says the Mayor failed to provide him with the proper documentation to pass into the secure area.

The matter has just now come to light although it took place on May 5^th-2007.

Dan MacIntyre, who along with his wife, has worked in the city for many years as a security guard says he was posted at the top of the stairs at the VIP lounge on May 5^th. He was to allow only those people who had a red bar ticket into the area. At about 6:45pm Mayor Colin Kinsley arrived and slipped under the ribbon barrier. MacIntyre addressed him as Mayor and asked him for his ticket. The Mayor, according to MacIntyre, then showed him a general access ticket, "He had no accreditation and so I asked him to wait while I got someone with a special pass to see him through the barrier. He said that he was dropping the puck and said he was the Mayor, the Chief of Staff of Prince George and that he had full access to any city owned property to go where he wanted to."

According to MacIntyre, Kinsley then escalated the situation "Threatening me with removal from my post because he had authority to do so."

MacIntyre says he told the Mayor " That was his prerogative, but I couldn’t let him through without an escort. He then went to the first landing and said he was going through regardless because common sense was needed."

MacIntyre says the Mayor then proceeded into the VIP area "As far as I knew was going to center Ice. I probably compounded my indiscretion by proceeding down to the VIP lounge to ask one of my co-workers if the Mayor was still ranting about me. Unknown to me was that the Mayor was still in the lounge. I was asked to leave by my co-worker as the Mayor was coming towards me. About 20 minutes later Mayor Kinsley told me that he would be back , and at about 8pm. I was relieved of my post but told not to leave until someone talked to the head of Hockey Canada. At about 10.30pm. I was reinstated and posted to another section. "

On December 20^th-2007 MacIntyre received a letter from his employer, Rod Holmes ,President of Regional Security Services. The letter says,” This letter confirms the previous conversations both in person and by telephone that the City Of Prince George has asked that you no longer work for us at the CN Center or the Civic Center.

It is my understanding that this was the result of an encounter you had with the Mayor during the Royal Bank Cup. We are more than willing to schedule you at any other works sites as we are happy with your services with us.”

Officials connected with the Royal Bank Cup say that the security was being split between them and the city; they also say the Mayor should have been provided with a proper pass.

Meantime MacIntyre says the incident has cost him in employment and he feels that all he was doing was his job, "If the Mayor was to receive special treatment, they didn’t tell me . All they told me was to only allow those in that had the proper ticket. I was doing just that."

We called the Mayor’s office and left a message for him so he can tell his side of the story. He has not returned our call.

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Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2008 04:00 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: thereasonableman on January 9 2008 4:27 AM

Must feel good to be able to push around the little people.

You know you've got clout when you can get a security guard fired.

On the other hand, when the Mayor says he is here to drop the puck, why would you insist on him having a pass to do so ?

Two people who should sign up for a course in conflict resolution.

Posted by: BCRacer on January 9 2008 5:39 AM

This somehow doesn't surprise me.

Posted by: scorpio on January 9 2008 7:04 AM

common sense certainly did not prevail

Posted by: diplomat on January 9 2008 7:35 AM

If a special pass was required to enter into a special secure area the Mayor, after having been told that he needed to get one of those, should have gone to get one rather than throw his considerable weight around to enter anyways.

No argument. No problem. The man was doing his job, conscientiously.

The Mayor himself should demand that all security regulations be enforced strictly and without exceptions.

In this new world of security checks and concerns officials should set examples of compliance.

A public apology is in order.

Posted by: owl on January 9 2008 7:57 AM

What would an airport security agent do when the Prime Minister wishes to go through an area that is only accessible with a special pass and he does not have the pass?

When is the requirement for a special pass a requirement for a special pass ..... and when id as requirement for a special pass really only a requirement for a special pass in some cases .......

So the Mayor can get through ..... also the City Manager? A Councillor? The premier? An MLA? An MP? .......

Which ones of those weople who do not have a special pass, really do not need a special pass?

From the info, the fellow was trying to find a way to get the mayor in there, but he was unable to find anyone to help him out.

As someone said, both were at fault for the consequences. On guy trying to follow the letter of the law for his job duties, the other trying to make it clear he was the fellow who gave out the special passes, in a sense.

I would think that much of the blame was with people other than those two who were directly involved. No one provided the Mayor with a pass. No one provided the security guard with proper instructions.

The failure to communicate properly started with those outside people who were in charge of security not getting their porcedures down properly.

A minor detail to some, but when it gets screwed up major consequences, none of which cannot be undone. If people continue to be stubborn and stand their ground on this, it will reflect badly on them, in my opinion.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on January 9 2008 8:04 AM

Now there's a guard that any bureaucrat minded person would love to have. They like people that follow rules to the letter. An attitude that was very popular and quickly promoted during the late thirties in Germany.

We are lucky the guard didn't throw the Mayor down and hand cuff him and call the RCMP. That would have been proper procedure.

I'm sure this guard will find his appropriate niche in life where the rest of us will pay for this.

Posted by: metalman on January 9 2008 8:07 AM

Hizzoner owes Mr. MacIntyre an apology, and re-instatement to work at city facilities. Shame on you, Rod Holmes, for not standing up for what is right (good business decision though) Mr. McIntyre was doing his job, following instructions, the mayor or any other celebrity, in my (not) so humble opinion, is not better than a security guard, a janitor, or anybody else. I have absolutely no respect for v.i.p. types who throw their self important weight around expecting the 'little people' to bow and scrape.
What if the security guard lost his job because he bent the rules for that important guy? Would Mr. big shot intervene and use his magnificent powers to force Roddy to re-instate the guard? I think not.
metalman.

Posted by: duffer on January 9 2008 8:30 AM

I don't agree with you Metalman. This wanna-be cop was was trying to push his weight around like most of them do. He should have used some common sense instead of trying to show who was the boss. This is not like airport security. It was a hockey game for god's sake. The mayor is lucky they don't give these no-brains taser guns.

Posted by: realitysetsin on January 9 2008 8:31 AM

We only have one side of the story but it would seem from this side that the mayor was out of line.

Posted by: diplomat on January 9 2008 8:32 AM

"They like people that follow rules to the letter."

Yes, like at airports, for instance.

"We are lucky the guard didn't throw the Mayor down and hand cuff him and call the RCMP. That would have been proper procedure."

In your opinion? Amazing.

Posted by: dano1960 on January 9 2008 8:34 AM

Just a point of information Rod Holmes handed me the letter stating that he has no problem with myself working other sites, that this is a city decision only

Posted by: duffer on January 9 2008 8:46 AM

Book him Dano!!!

Posted by: RUEZ on January 9 2008 8:52 AM

If this is true, it's complete BS. I have a feeling we'll be getting a new mayor in the near future.

Posted by: realitysetsin on January 9 2008 8:53 AM

Heh heh Diplomat... what no Tazer??

Posted by: Jigga on January 9 2008 8:54 AM

stupidest thing to ever make news. the security guard was just trying to be a jackass because he could. was he doing his job...yes. was he doing his job properly...no. doing a job right involves using some common sense, which was not applied in this situation.

seems funny for me to say this...but i dont think the mayor was out of line on this one.

Posted by: ammonra on January 9 2008 9:05 AM

Yes, the security guard was doing his job properly. He is an employee of a security company and his employer had given instructions for him to follow. Not following them would have been insubordination and grounds for a reprimand or dismissal. The Mayor was completely in the wrong, and he knows it, which is why he didn't respond for comments.

The man is entitled to an apology and compensation for any income lost due to the Mayor's bully boy tactics.

Posted by: Eagleone on January 9 2008 9:18 AM

I support the mayor on this one. The security guard didn't use any common sense. The mayor is the commander in chief basically in civic facilities by way of his position as mayor. This was basically a hockey game and not a political conference or some other type of private event. I support the mayor 100% on this one. I think the mayor deserves to be flamed for far more important things than a rent a cops hurt feelings.

IMO Dano should learn to move on, find other work, and stop using his roughing up the mayor as his excuse for his feebleness. I would be curious as hell to find out what Dano's motives are for this whole news story... lol... 'the mayor hates me so I'm doomed... so because of that I want people to think he's mean to me...' ROTFLMAO. This guy is right up there with that dude that defends Britney Spears on YouTube.

Moral of the story: Dano needs help.

Posted by: turbocat on January 9 2008 9:19 AM

Mr. MacIntyre, was doing exactly as he should have been doing.
If the mayor was supposed to be in some area, why was he not carrying the pass required to get in. Was the mayor unaware of the need for the pass?
The mayor needs to apologize to him, this is BS.
If i was posted as a guard to an area, and a special pass was required, I would not let people in not carrying said pass.
Its cut and dried really.
Shall he be able to access the secure areas of the airport and such to, just because he is a city employee? No, he damn well shouldn't, he has no more, or less rights than I do as a citizen of PG.

Posted by: RUEZ on January 9 2008 9:20 AM

Nothing gives the mayor the right to abuse his position this way. Regardless of whether he used "common sense" or not like some people suggest. The security guard did not do his job wrong. Therefore I believe the mayor has no leg to stand on here, and I'd be curious to see what a lawyer would think about this little temper tantrum. The city of Prince George and it's properties are not the exclusive playground of the mayor.

Posted by: northman on January 9 2008 10:37 AM

The security guard was not abusing power and was doing his job to the full extent using due dilligence!! Ive worked for concert events in large arenas and it doesnt matter who you are!! you need to have a pass for all access even if your a VIP. No pass No access its that simple. The reason for passes is that it accounts for who you are and what your reasons for being there are. Kinsley should be held liable for his negligence and for lost wages by the security guard.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on January 9 2008 10:37 AM

Doesn't matter how you look at this,this is just plain wrong.
Perhaps apologies are needed on BOTH sides, but the mayor should NEVER allow a sitution like this to happen if he had any class!

Posted by: Honestjoe on January 9 2008 10:38 AM

If all of this is fact, I would like to see Colin Kinsley's resignation, in the very near future.
Is Rod Holmes actions a result of fear of losing his business with the City of Prince George and other employers who may have been influenced?
I hope the citizens of Prince George have enough sense to realize that we need to completely replace our elected officials and start with a clean slate of competent people after the November election.

Posted by: bohemian on January 9 2008 10:58 AM

November can't come soon enough.

Posted by: meisner on January 9 2008 1:09 PM

The following comment was sent to us off line in letters to the Editor to be posted on this item

I think this whole situation is resting on His Worships'????!!!!!! shoulders. He needs to apologize and reinstate this gentleman to his job and give him the backpay owed to him for all the jobs that he caused him to miss because of his ridiculous hot-headed, wobbly-pop inspired decision!!! We pay his wages and if he thinks he can waltz through any city facility then I think we all should be able to. If we are paying for him to go to everything for free then I think we are owed a free concert or hockey game also, without a special pass or ticket. He may have the title of mayor and we may have to respect him for that but with the behavior that was displayed in this situation, he doesn't earn any respect from me or others who saw this public display of crap!!! (I was one of the many fortunate volunteers that was a part of the RBC Cup and I would say that this person mentioned above is our most talked about "stupid person" at the games!) Thanks for allowing us to vent! Baker4

Meisner

Posted by: unlisted on January 9 2008 2:13 PM

The mayor should have had enough respect to wait behind the ribbon until the guard was able to clear up this matter. Just because someone is an elected official does not mean everyone must bow down to them. Some courtesy from the mayor could have gone a long way in this situation. There are many different ways to access the ice; I wonder why it was so important for the mayor to get into the licensed lounge so quick?

Posted by: EdH on January 9 2008 2:28 PM

The mayor in his role is subordinate to the people of Prince George, not the other way around. He was hired by the people to make decisions about public policy, and this is the extent of his service to Prince George as mayor.

If he was an invited guest at the event, he should have been given a pass like I'm sure the other invited guests had (anthem singers, etc). Since there was a mistake in this regard (by no fault of either the mayor or the guard), like anyone caught in this error, the mayor should have requested to speak with the guard's supervisor or an event official.

Posted by: duffer on January 9 2008 2:30 PM

I can see most of the people on this site do not like our mayor. I am certainly glad I am not the mayor because I couldn't put up with all the crap from everyone. Whether he is liked or not shouldn't even enter into this equation. There is a certain amount of prestige to groups when the mayor of any city attends a function. Obviously our mayor was asked to drop the puck at this game so he was there for that reason. To have someone like this "security guard" be rude and obnoxious to the top city official is not acceptable in my books. He knew who the mayor was and was still rude. If I was the mayor anytime a group asked me to be at their function I would make sure this security company was not there. I certainly would not apologize to someone for being rude to me. By the way, as you can tell from my past postings I voted for Dan for mayor last time around, so Mr. Kinsley is not a friend of mine either. He deserved more respect in this situation, in my opinion.

Posted by: tiredbear on January 9 2008 2:44 PM

The fact of the matter is Dan was let go of and then reinstated after a de-briefing.
Because it was decided that he was only doing his job. This was a National event and at other events of the likes of this in Vanouver even the Prime Minsiter has to have a tag allowing access to certain areas. He could have taken the advice from Dan and got a temporary pass.

Then a few months later the Mayor sees him again and says hmmmmm - then has him removed????? It had already been decided that he was to be re-instated. And if I have read my information right the Mayor does not have hiring and firing rights????

Posted by: EdH on January 9 2008 3:33 PM

Duffer, I do not live in Prince George and do not know Mayor Kinsley, his politics, feats, or failings.

I objectively point out that public officials like the mayor are hired by the people of Prince George to serve in the city government offices. Any additional prestige that goes with the position itself is given only by the grace of the people -- like by inviting him to drop the puck at hockey games, but it is not encapsulated implicitly in the role of mayor.

Posted by: EdH on January 9 2008 3:40 PM

Posted by: gitterdun on January 9 2008 4:09 PM

Come on, where is common sense here...it was 6:45pm, puck drop is at 7pm. Obviously there was not a lot of time to wait for an escort and the guard recognized the mayor. It wasn't like the mayor was trying to get on a plane, and he really doesn't look like he could sprint away with anything....... It probably would have ended quietly and not gone further if the guard had not gone into the VIP lounge and made comments that were most likely heard by others. That indiscretion was probably what prompted the city to request that he be re-assigned.

Posted by: wellerfoot on January 9 2008 4:12 PM

"An apology should be made" yes, but from from both sides/

Although the gaurd was doing his job, it could have been cleared up by one quick check with the admission officials. That walkie talkie those guys use would be perfect for this. Unless he has never actually seen the mayor before, it would have been a yes or no question. Of course it would have been YES. Also, was it not public knowledge that the mayor would be dropping the puck for for first faceoff? Gaurd probley knew this/
The mayor had no right to use the old "do you know who I am" routine. It is unprofessional. I could just see him now, all red faced (nosed) hufing and puffing bout not being let in.. and why the big rush? ....was he late? Why not quickly get someone who had actual authority over the gaurd to make everything clear.

easy as that. 2 apologies = 2 happy people.

Posted by: metalman on January 9 2008 5:30 PM

OK, enough mayor bashing, even if it fits himself so well. I like Wellerfoot's idea, they should both apologize, shake hands, and move on to better things. I just have to say that I think this whole thing stinks. Do you know who I am? (nobody)
I am metalman.

Posted by: Harbinger on January 9 2008 6:03 PM

Hizzoner? Commander-in- chief? Haw, haw , haw. George Bush is Commander-in-chief. This security guard should think American and go hire a lawyer. If this hokey crap keeps up until November, methinks we're in for a new and improved crew at City Hall. About time too. I must say.

Posted by: lucy on January 9 2008 7:20 PM

Meisner for Mayor!

Who's with me?

Posted by: northman on January 9 2008 7:34 PM

I stand by you Lucy!

Posted by: furtree on January 9 2008 7:47 PM

Better have a look at this link if you think Security People are nice people. Check out what Security did to the union people on a picket line at Sunripe in Kelowna.

http://chbcnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=15371

Posted by: owl on January 9 2008 7:48 PM

This was a national event. The Mayor, or whoever drops the puck, should have been considered a dignitary for the purpose of the event. Whether it was a boy scout, an old time hockey player, or the mayor of the city does not really matter. In any case, an escort ought to be provided to meet the person at the entrance, escort them to the point of the arena where he/she would be walking out on the ice and making sure everything goes off as planned.

It is the courteous thing to do, it is the prudent thing to do to prevent problems.

What happened is what happens when one does not do that. This is not some local yocal event.

Of course there is a completely different angle to this which we seem to have forgotten about. Dan Rogers was the Co-Chair of the organizing committee.

;-)

Posted by: rambleon on January 9 2008 9:31 PM

Anyone have statistics on how many close friends are snuck into VIP sections by security guards who aren't busy trying to prove a point?

Posted by: John Abbott on January 9 2008 10:03 PM

I have worked with Dan and hie wife not only at the RBC but at other venus in this city and he does what is asked of him in the area of security in a vary professional manner, Dan was told as were all of us working the RBC that anyone entering restricted areas needed proper passes or an escort to do so,so Dan was only doing his job and if the Mayor would have held up for a few minutes he would have had that escort to center ice. The RBC took place in May 2007 this is now Jan. 2008, the Mayor should look back and say good job Volunteers and Security at the RBC and forget and move on

Posted by: Runner46 on January 9 2008 10:10 PM

Why should you be reprimanded for doing your job. I continue to be frustrated with people and firms that second guess your actions "after the fact".

My heart goes out to Dano for having this dragged through the mud,with little sticking to the right "culprit".

Posted by: owl on January 10 2008 8:42 AM

"Anyone have statistics on how many close friends are snuck into VIP sections by security guards who aren't busy trying to prove a point?"

And precisely what point would that be? That they can do their job?

If you think that the point such a person is trying to make is that they are in control, that may be one view.

The problem is, that to be consistent, you have to say that the person who sneaks someone through is also proving that he/she is in control.

The difference is, the one person is doing the job they were hired to do and were instructed to do, the other person is not and is displaying insubordination.

This person did the right thing, he sought assistance, but the mayor took matters into his own hands and could not wait.

Posted by: Eagleone on January 10 2008 8:46 AM

I agree the Commander in Chief thing was rediculious. Sometimes I type fast.

Basically though the mayor is the dignitary to the event. Common sense says you bend the rules in this circumstance. The mayor also is the senior policy maker in town.

The security guard admits to knowing all of this before hand, and then goes on to impun the mayor to further escalate a situation after he thought the mayor has left the scene.

I admit the mayor didn't handle it with much class, but thats his perogative in that kind of situation with the puck drop on the line.

If I was about to drop the puck in front of 6000 people I wouldn't want to stand around arguing with a security guard right up to the drop of the puck. It would feel uncomfortable (being angry with a smile), much more uncomfortable then telling the little piss fart to bugger off.

'Do you know who I am'... we don't really know the mayor even said that other then for Dano's version of events (unless its recorded in which case lets hear that as well, should be interesting... I'm waiting).

Posted by: owl on January 10 2008 8:48 AM

BTW .... wonder if the mayor would tear up a traffic ticket and threaten to have the officer fired for giving him one?

Remember, he is this City's CEO and the RCMP is contracted by the City so, applying his apparent reasoning that he can get a security guard from a company under contract to the city fired, he could also get an RCMP officer fired.

Think it through folks. Where is the line in the sand drawn, and by whom?

Posted by: owl on January 10 2008 8:57 AM

"About 20 minutes later Mayor Kinsley told me that he would be back , and at about 8pm. I was relieved of my post but told not to leave until someone talked to the head of Hockey Canada. At about 10.30pm. I was reinstated and posted to another section. "

There seems to be an ample record of the mayor intervening to the extent that the guard was relieved of his duties with or without pay.

So, the head of Hockey Canada, eh? That person too is in charge. He/she seems to have had a saner approach.
------------------

Then it goes on:
"The letter says,� This letter confirms the previous conversations both in person and by telephone that the City Of Prince George has asked that you no longer work for us at the CN Center or the Civic Center."

There is likely no doubt about the facts of this since the record can be found in discoveries.

So, in my RCMP scenario, the mayor is asking for the traffic cop to be transferred to a desk job.

It is quite clear in my mind of the nature of the personalities involved in this altercation. I could print several words tht immediately come to mind, but I trust most people who have a sense of fairness about them would know what they are.

Posted by: bigmom on January 10 2008 9:42 AM

It is my opinion that security guard MacIntyre should be promoted instead of fired because he carried out his responsibilities to the letter without discretion. To have done otherwise would have been a breach of his responsibility - he would have been exercising his own judgement, which cannot be tolerated in security of any kind.

At an airport, we depend on airport security to not use discretion with those they know personally.

Posted by: duffer on January 10 2008 11:31 AM

Give it a break, it was a hockey game and not a breech of national security.

Posted by: wellerfoot on January 10 2008 4:36 PM

hockey game.. yes. But if you were a 'bad guy' looking to hurt people where would you do it? A gathering of hundreds upon hundreds of people. A national hockey event would be the place. But of course, the mayor would have been recognized as the mayor. especially by this gaurd in particular who has said he had worked at numerous events in the city. I think maybe Im beginning to side with Colin for once. I still think two apologies are in order, but for two different reasons.

Posted by: cheers on January 10 2008 6:05 PM

Colin Kinsley needs to pull his head out of his ass and climb down off his high horse he is riding on. Dan was hired to do a job and he does a great job as a security guard and does not have a rude bone in his body. When we arrive at any event in which we are hired for, we are debriefed by Rod Holmes himself (president of Regional Security) with instructions as to who has passes and who can and cannot enter in certain areas. If it was known that Mr.Kinsley was going to be entering through a secure area then it was Dan's superior, Rod Holmes responsibility to let all staff know this. Just because he is the mayor does not give him the right to bang his chest like an Orangutang to get what he wants and act in such a manner. He could have waited like a normal person until Dan cleared it with someone and all would have ended well.

As for all of you security or what was it..."rent a cop" bashers...walk a mile in our shoes and then lets see how you feel. I quite enjoy being a security member and I know that I am polite and helpful to all people. I know that there are a lot of people who go to events to enjoy them and that is all we are hired to do, to ensure that nobody gets hurt, nobody is acting unappropriately and everyone has a good time. As for the appologies, Dan and his wife have tried to make appointments on more than one occasion with Mr. Kinsley and he is tucking his tail between his legs like the dog he is behaving like.

He needs to realize that we are hired to do a job and that's all most of us are there to do. Yes, maybe some of the guards act mightier than they should but Dan is not one to behave in such a manner. It all boils down to the fact that if Mr. Kinsley would have waited for Dan to return, as per his request, then none of this would have happened.

Posted by: lmorg on January 10 2008 6:09 PM

Owl, there is no way on God's green earth that the mayor could or would get an rcmp officer fired if the officer justly issued a ticket to him. Trust me on this.

As for the situation between the two parties, I am in agreement that they should get together, shake hands and both admit they had a misunderstanding and apologize to each other; one for not enpowering himself and showing some initiative in a tricky predicament, and the other for getting uptight and vengefull after not realizing that he was part of the problem.