Break-in in Justin Trudeau's home raises questions about the leaders security

Police are remaining tight-lipped about a prowler who struck the Ottawa home of Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau while his family slept inside.

Over the weekend, Mr. Trudeaus office issued a statement providing a bare outline of the early-morning break-in, which unnerved the family and raised questions about the high-profile leaders lack of security.

Mr. Trudeaus wife, Sophie Grgoire-Trudeau, and the couples three children were sleeping Saturday morning when the intruder slipped into the family home, located in Ottawas Rockcliffe Park neighbourhood. Nothing was stolen and nobody was hurt. All that remained was a hand-written threatening note.

The RCMP referred all media calls to the Ottawa Police Service. An investigator with the OPS Break and Enter Unit confirmed the incident but would only provide a No comment when asked about details of the note, which reportedly warned the Trudeau family to lock their doors.

Mr. Trudeau was working in Manitoba at the time of the break-in before travelling to Montreal to participate in the citys gay pride festivities. He told reporters there he was extremely troubled over the incident and that his family joined him in Montreal on Saturday to avoid staying in the Ottawa home. He plans to spend the next three days in Edmonton for the partys summer caucus meeting. Were a little bit rattled, but were hoping that investigation and security will keep us safe in the future, he told CBC.

The RCMPs Protective Operations unit is responsible for shielding senior federal leaders, such as the Prime Minister, Governor-General and Leader of the Official Opposition. As head of the third party, Mr. Trudeau isnt entitled to that security. The Minister of Public Safety, however, does have the authority to add to the list of those requiring protection.

In the wake of the break-in, the RCMP will likely conduct its own threat assessment and offer some level of protection to Mr. Trudeau if the risk is considered legitimate, according to a retired RCMP officer who specialized in VIP protection.

They will want to determine the validity of the threat, of the note, and then theres usually a sit-down with the person whos been threatened, said Ty Watts, who watched over the entire Trudeau family, including baby Justin, when then-prime minister Pierre Trudeau was in power. Mr. Watts now runs LTD & Associates, a private investigation and security firm.

He said he no longer feels so protective of Mr. Trudeau, now 42 years of age, but suggested the Mounties should take the note seriously. He said the RCMP routinely provide security for MPs and consular officials where there is a legitimate security risk, and Mr. Trudeau would be no different.

Of course, they could also determine based on the note that the whole thing is a prank. That happens.

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Break-in in Justin Trudeau's home raises questions about the leaders security