The union that represents RCMP members says it welcomes the finding by the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba that a Thompson detachment member’s shooting of a man last October was necessary.
Brian Sauvé, president of the National Police Federation, which represents about 20,000 Mounties in Canada and abroad, told the Thompson Citizen that the Oct. 25, 2021 incident was an example of an RCMP officer upholding the law while protecting themselves and the public.
“This is another example of the real, dynamic and active situations that can present themselves at any time for our member,” he said in an emailed statement. “Thanks to his professionalism, no member of the public or other members were injured in this incident.”
The IIU said in its final report on the shooting, which was released Aug. 9, that all evidence supported the conclusion that the man was armed with a knife and that the officer fired a single non-fatal shot to protect his and others’ safety. As a result, no criminal charges against the officer were recommended.
The incident was captured in two videos and witnessed by nine people.
The officer who fired the shot was the only RCMP member at the scene when the incident took place.
RCMP officers utilize what it known as an Incident Management Intervention Model to assess and manage risk during encounters with the public. It is taught at the RCMP Academy throughout an officer’s training and they must re-certify on it every year. Possible interventions range from police simply being present to using verbal and non-verbal communication, to physical control methods which range from joint locks and handcuffing to punches and kicks, to use of lethal and non-lethal weapons.
Factors officers take into account when deciding what methods to use include availability of cover, the presence of backup and distance from a subject, as well as a person’s emotional state and the number of people in the area compared to the number of police officers.
Some RCMP officers carry conducted energy weapons, often referred to as Tasers, but only those who are trained in their use are allowed to do so.
