RCMP officers suffer injuries over the holidays

PRINCE GEORGE — The Prince George RCMP has responded to over 1000 calls over the holidays, and though not all turned out to be serious, RCMP say there’s a trend of violence towards their officers.

Here are four examples:

• On Dec.20, police responded to a report of an abandoned 9-1-1 call at an apartment on Juniper Street where three people were found inside smoking meth. The three officers that responded became sick as a result of exposure to the fumes in the home. All three were taken to hospital as a precaution and later discharged.
• On Dec.25, frontline officers responded to a report of a mental health and drug related incident. As a result of the investigation, a teenage girl was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital for assessment. While at the hospital, the girl became aggressive towards police and ended up biting an officer to the point of drawing blood. As assault investigation is underway.
• On Dec. 28, an officer conducting CounterAttack patrols executed a stop on Massey Drive. The female driver and two other occupants appeared to be intoxicated. The driver refused to provide her licence or name. She then opened the door and attempted to get past the officer, assaulting him in the process. While she was being arrested, a female passenger, later found to be the driver’s daughter, exited the vehicle and attempted to kick the officer in the groin. She was subsequently arrested too. The 41-year-old driver was later found not to have a valid driver’s licence. She was taken to the police detachment where she provided breath samples well over the legal limit. The investigation is ongoing.
• On Dec.29, officers responded to a report of a suspect on a bike breaking into vehicles on Sanderson Road. Officers found an adult man matching the description in a driveway. While talking to the officer, the man swung a bag towards the officer, striking him in the head. The male fled the area and was not located. The officer was not seriously hurt. The investigation is continuing.