Organizational confusion at some Vancouver area airports is creating lapses in security just days before the 2010 Olympics are set to begin, according to an internal email sent to police providing security at the Winter Games.

The email obtained by CBC News was written by an officer within the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit (ISU), which includes the RCMP, the military, local police and other security officials and has overall responsibility for Olympic security.

The memo, written by Cpl. Laurie Clarkson, was addressed to officers from the RCMP and various police departments assigned to staff temporary passenger and baggage screening areas that have been added at several airports during the Games, including helicopter and floatplane terminals.

The email reveals confusion over duties split between the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) — responsible for passenger and baggage screening — and police.

'I have been advised that members are showing up late for their shifts, or not at all.' — Internal memo from officer with Olympics security team

"[Police] members ... are there ... to conduct aircraft searches and assist CATSA in the event of an unruly passenger, contraband or security breach," the memo stated.

Yet officers have been told to do other jobs.

"[They're] not to be [used] to provide policing in other areas of the airport. These members are ISU resources, paid by the ISU, to solely work at these sites."

The email also referred to cases where police officers who were assigned to work alongside security screeners to provide armed backup in the event of an emergency have left screeners alone while they've gone on a meal break.

"This can't be the case," the email stated.

"During quiet times, members may leave for a meal break but … we need one member to remain at the site."

The email also said that some officers have not shown up for their assigned shifts at security screening stations.

"I have been advised that members are showing up late for their shifts, or not at all," the officer writes in the memo. "Any delays on our part significantly delay screening and the subsequent flight departures, potentially impacting Vancouver airport landing schedules."

ISU issues statement

Late Tuesday, a media relations spokesman for the ISU issued a written release that contrasted with one key complaint in the earlier memo.

"No temporary [airport] screening sites have been left unattended," said Staff Sgt. Michael Cote.

"These posts are always occupied by trained law enforcement personnel."

Strife among security agencies during the Olympics has happened in previous Games, according to one expert at the University of Calgary.

"The more people there are trying to deal with situations, it becomes more difficult to come to a unanimous decision, which can also be a problem," said political scientist Michael Zekulin.

Power struggles and miscommunication can get in the way of enacting security plans, Zekulin said.

"The reality is that different people with different agencies have their own interests, their own agendas, their own internal culture and that works to inhibit spontaneous co-operation."