The police officer tasked with heading security for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics was not fired, the RCMP said in a statement issued Wednesday.
Chief Supt. Bob Harriman's decision to leave the post was mutually agreed upon and had nothing to do with a recent audit that revealed a shortfall in the security budget for the Games, according to RCMP.
"He was not fired nor did he quit," the statement said.
Documents made public by CBC News last month revealed the RCMP had serious concerns that the $175 million earmarked for Olympics security is inadequate.
In its statement, RCMP maintained there was no connection between Harriman's departure and the audit, and said the "timing is purely coincidental."
Harriman has been operations commander of the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit since its inception in 2003. He will remain at the post until a replacement is chosen.
