On June 21, at 11:40 p.m., the Alberta RCMP was notified by the Calgary Police Service (CPS) of a suspect who had previously fled from police and was being followed by a HAWCS helicopter.
Under the Alberta RCMP Real Time Operations Centre (RTOC), officers from CPS, and RCMP from Airdrie, Didsbury, Olds, and Sundre set up a covert tire deflation device.
Police were successful in disabling the vehicle on the QE II Highway near Highway 581.
A traffic stop was conducted, and there was an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and police. No injuries were reported.
Police were able to disengage from the suspect and set up containment.
RCMP made verbal contact with the suspect and successfully de-escalated the incident. The suspect surrendered to police.
There were no injuries suffered to members of the public, officers, or the suspect during this incident.
The Alberta RCMP is thankful for the eventual outcome of this incident, demonstrating effective police intervention in high-risk situations for which officers are highly trained.
This incident was also an example of cooperation between multiple units of two police services.
Events like this are difficult for the communities in which they occur and for the general public and officers involved. Police recognize the trust placed in them to use force that is necessary, proportional, and reasonable and in so doing remain fully accountable.
In compliance with legislative requirements, the Director of Law Enforcement was immediately notified causing the deployment of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) to oversee the investigations into this incident. The RCMP will provide full support to the ASIRT investigators.
Independent of ASIRT’s investigation, the RCMP’s and CPS’s internal review processes have been implemented to gather a full account of what took place during this incident, including Police training, policy, and response.