He was on the frontlines of some of B.C.'s most notorious moments of civil unrest, and now the security of the 2010 Olympic Games -- and the nation's reputation for peace, order and good government -- may well rest on the decisions he makes if tensions arise during the games. Geoff Dembicki of The Tyee and Bob Mackin of 24 Hours Vancouver collaborate on an in-depth four-part series looking at Mercer's controversial past, and present responsibilities.
In This Series
Olympics' Top Cop Helped Blow up Truck at Gustafsen Stand-off
RCMP's Bud Mercer was in the thick of several famous clashes with dissenters. This story, with video of the exploding truck, is first in a series.
Olympic Security Chief Likes to 'Be out Front'
In command of 6,000, Bud Mercer will be making decisions under a global microscope.
Mercer Blasted APEC Protesters with Pepper Spray
Commission slammed Mounties' hair trigger use of force at 1997 summit. Third in a series profiling the 2010 Olympics' top cop.
Mercer Led Raid on 'War in Woods' Tree-Sitters
2010 Games security chief is a veteran of clashes with anti-logging protesters.