RCMP officers search a bag at the G8 summit in Kananskis, Alta., in June 2002. The force is responsible for security for major events in Canada. (CBC)

Extra policing requirements for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver could end up hindering court cases in Calgary and smaller communities in Alberta.

Six hundred RCMP officers from Alberta — at least 25 per cent of the province's Mounties — are scheduled to help with security during the Olympics, which will take place Feb. 12-28 next year, the force confirmed Monday.

"Whenever there's a major event in Canada, the RCMP, being a national police force, is responsible for at least a portion, if not the majority, of any police response required for that security operation," said RCMP Sgt. Patrick Webb. "The majority will be attending somewhere from the middle of January just into early March."

Without RCMP officers available to testify in court cases, both Crown and defence lawyers are anticipating trial delays, especially in smaller communities in Alberta.

'We all understand as citizens about the need for the police and the protection and the optics of having police available at the Olympics but that's going to affect the criminal justice system that's already bursting at the seams.'—Alain Hepner, lawyer

"I was advised that it's likely or it's possible that we won't be booking any criminal trials at all in the circuit court during the month of January," defence lawyer Alain Hepner told CBC News.

He said he's also been advised not to book any trials or preliminary inquiries during February.

"We all understand as citizens about the need for the police and the protection and the optics of having police available at the Olympics, but that's going to affect the criminal justice system that's already bursting at the seams," Hepner said.

Matthew Pacaud is awaiting a trial involving his neighbour, who has been charged with injuring Pacaud's dog last month. The trial is scheduled for June 2010 in Okotoks, south of Calgary.

"I was a little bit shocked," Pacaud said. "I was, you know, kinda hoping it would be taken care of a lot sooner."

Pacaud said he just wants to get the case over with: "It still weighs on my mind, and, you know, it's [a question of] justice."

Police emergencies won't be affected

Crown prosecutor Lloyd Robertson conceded there will be a short period of time where courts will see some delays, especially in outlying areas such as Okotoks and Airdrie. Court disruptions are also possible in Calgary, whose police officers will also be working at the Olympics.

The province will be using that down time to switch to a new case management system, Robertson said.

Alberta courts will all be open during the Olympics, but there could be schedule changes if cases require officers who are not available, said Jay O'Neill, a spokesman for Alberta Justice.

O'Neill said the delays could create a possible backlog, but officials will be trying to minimize the impact.

Webb said the RCMP will continue to cover all policing emergencies in the province by using officers from other parts of the country. Leave has been prohibited during the Olympics, and staff will have to work overtime, he said.

With files from Tara Fedun