The Prince George RCMP have been busy over the holiday season, and are reporting a recent trend of violence toward RCMP officers.
Over the past 10 days, Prince George Mounties say members have attended over 1,000 calls for service. Police say that although most calls turn out not to be serious, violence has been directed at members.
The incidents included methamphetamine fume exposure, biting and assault.
Police say that although none of the officers were seriously injured, officers use caution when dealing with people because a call for service is never routine.
The Prince George RCMP have provided examples of these instances:
Friday, Dec. 20
Around 6:30 a.m., frontline officers responded to a report of an abandoned 911 call at an apartment on Juniper Street. Three people were found in the residence smoking methamphetamines. Two of the occupants began to argue, which prompted the 911 call. Police separated the occupants. However, the three officers who responded to the call became ill as a result of exposure to the fumes in the home. All three were taken to hospital as a precaution and later discharged.
Wednesday, Dec. 25
Officers responded to a report of mental health and drug-related incident around 3 p.m. As a result of the investigation, a female teen was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and transported to the hospital for assessment by a doctor. While at the hospital, the female became aggressive toward police and ended up biting an officer to the point of drawing blood. Mounties say an investigation into the matter is underway.
Saturday, Dec. 28
Just after 11 p.m., a frontline officer conducting CounterAttack patrols for impaired drivers executed a traffic stop with a vehicle on Massey Drive. The 41-year-old female driver and two other occupants all appeared to be intoxicated. The driver refused to provide her driver's licence or name to the officer. She opened the door and attempted to get past the officer, assaulting him in the process. While she was being arrested, another female passenger, later found to be the driver's 20-year-old daughter, exited the vehicle and attempted to kick the officer in the groin. She was subsequently arrested too. The driver was later found not to have a valid driver's licence. She was transported to the detachment, where she provided breath samples of well over the legal limit.
Sunday, Dec. 29
In the early morning hours of Dec. 29, frontline officers responded to a report of a suspect on a bike breaking into vehicles on Sanderson Road. Officers located an adult male matching the description in a driveway. While in conversation with the officer, the male swung a bag toward the officer, striking him in the head. The male immediately fled on foot. Police conducted a search of the area; however, the suspect was not located. The officer was not seriously hurt.
