Six Southeast District RCMP officers injured over the span of 96 hours
By Castlegar Source
In just a span of 96 hours, six front line RCMP officers across the Southeast District sustained injuries while carrying out the arrest of volatile individuals in order to maintain public safety in the communities they serve.
Grand Forks BC
On Oct. 3, 2020 shortly before 4 a.m., emergency paramedics responded to a report of an unknown intoxicated man said to be lying face down in the grass of a home in the 6400-block of 18 Street. BC Emergency Health Services approached the individual to provide him care, at which time he sprung to his feet and suddenly became aggressive. The BC EHS crew retreated to their ambulance, called for immediate assistance from the Grand Forks RCMP and were forced to stage a couple of blocks away.
A front line Grand Forks RCMP officer arrived in the area and approached the man who continue to yell aggressively. The suspect allegedly grabbed onto the officer and forced the police officer to the ground, where he continued to assault the officer. The suspect fled on foot before the officer could affect an arrest. The suspect, a 35-year-old Grand Forks man was apprehended without further incident by another front line officer who was responding to the scene to assist.
The police officer, who sustained non-life threatening injuries, was medically assessed at the scene by the emergency paramedics who initially called for support and later examined in hospital.
Salmon Arm BC
On October 7, 2020 shortly before 5 a.m., Salmon Arm RCMP responded to a report of a disturbance inside a home, where a distraught man was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis and causing property damage. A pair of uniformed front line RCMP officers responded to the home, and arranged to have emergency medical crews staged nearby.
The officers engaged in a dialogue with the individual and managed to fully de-escalate the situation. Relying on their training the officers convinced the man to exit the home to obtain medical attention, for the lacerations and abrasions he sustained.
In doing so the 41-year-old Sorrento man, suddenly lunged at both officers, who required the use of a Conducted Energy Weapon (CEW) to subdue the distraught man. Both of the responding officers received medical treatment for non-life threatening injuries following the arrest, one of whom sustained a lower arm fracture.
Kamloops BC
Earlier that morning, also on Oct. 7, 2020, three front line RCMP officers in Kamloops suffered injuries while working together to apprehend a dangerous offender who led police on a dangerous pursuit. One officer sustained injuries related to a motor vehicle collision, as a result of the suspect allegedly side-swiping the officer’s police vehicle. A second officer sustained a lower arm injury while being forced to take an evasive action to avoid being struck by the suspect’s vehicle. While the third officer also sustained a lower arm injury while participating in the suspects eventual arrest.
Click here to view the news release issued by Kamloops RCMP (October 7, 2020)
Each and every day first responders leave their loved ones at home to risk their lives on the front lines as they do their part to contribute to public safety in the communities they serve. Our men and women in law enforcement are no exception, said C/Supt. Brad Haugli the RCMP Southeast District Commander. Each of these dangerous situations has not only deeply impacted these extremely dedicated police officers, but has also had lasting implications on their families and colleagues. I commend each of these officers for their actions and my team commits to support each officer as they recuperate from their injuries.
