Almost 400 security guards quit Games, others sleep on grass waiting for shuttle buses
Almost 400 Commonwealth Games security guards have walked off the job during the past five weeks, while others have been left sleeping on the grass waiting for late-night transport from their venues back to their accommodation.
Despite these admissions, police and security officials were not concerned because they said the attrition rate was lower than expected and replacement staff had been brought in.
Security at the Commonwealth Games village.
Photo: AP - Manish SwarupCommonwealth Games head of security Danny Baade confirmed reports that some guards had slept on the grass outside a venue while waiting for shuttle buses.
He said a bus left earlier than planned and guards waited about an hour for a replacement.
“If I was a guard finishing night work and I found a nice piece of soft grass and a bit of shade, I would probably take a break too,” he said.
Mr Baade said about nine per cent of the 4300 guards, which equates to about 390, who were involved in the lead-up and first few days of the Games had left.
The reasons for their departures varied from personal matters to accommodation issues and problems with transport between venues.
However, organisers had planned for a ten per cent attrition rate and Mr Baade said the usual rate at major events was closer to 20 or 25 per cent.
Mr Baade said 5700 guards had been accredited for the Games, so replacements were available.
Queensland Police Service deputy commissioner Steve Gollschewki said he had "high confidence" in the 10,000 personnel involved in the security operation.
He said the operations hadn't worked out the way officials had planned but they had "adjusted well".