Calgary police remaining vigilant amid attacks on police officers across country

Calgary police say there's 'no credible threat' targeting the force's officers after weeks of violence that saw three Canadian police officers killed.

Violent attacks on police officers in Canada have become a trend in the past month, with three officers killed in the line of duty and several others injured, and Calgary police say the incidents have had an impact on members.

“It’s gut-wrenching. It’s just so impactful,” said Chief Katie McLellan.

“This has become an attack on our profession. The members who go out every day to protect and serve this city, knowing that at any minute, they face risk, they face increased crime and complexity.”

Calgary police say it cannot share specifics about intelligence it receives when it comes to threats on police officers but that it works with law enforcement in other jurisdictions, including the RCMP.

“I would say it’s getting more dangerous,” said McLellan.

“I’ve been a cop for 35 years, and what our members are experiencing nowadays, I didn’t experience 35 years ago.”

Police say officers are maintaining situational awareness and vigilance.

“At this time, there is no credible co-ordinated threat targeting individuals in Calgary,” read a statement from police.

On June 9, Const. Tarun Bali with the Ontario Provincial Police was fatally hit by a vehicle while trying to apprehend a suspect under the Mental Health Act.

Two days later, Const. Marc Pinizzotto with the Toronto Police Service was shot and killed during a police raid that was linked to multiple shootings.

On June 21, in Melville, Sask., a 55-year-old man was charged with two counts of attempted murder for shooting two Mounties and injuring them.

Twenty-five-year-old Seth Scott Hatfield, of Lethbridge, Alta., was named as the suspected shooter in a Montreal attack that left three people dead, including Const. Mohamed Lamine Benredouane, a civilian and himself.

“It’s an attack on all of us. It’s an attack on what this profession signs up to do and ultimately an attack on public safety,” said McLellan.

“As I’ve said before, people who get into this profession, they know what they’re going to encounter, they know what they’re going to face every day. And I’ve said it’s an innate calling, and even though it’s a challenging career and it’s a risky career, it is also a very rewarding career. We get to make a difference in people’s lives every single day.”

Calgary’s mayor says he wants to make workplace safety a priority for city workers, including first responders.

“We need to remain vigilant. We need to step up and support our first responders,” said Jeromy Farkas.

“We need to advocate for the tools specifically around sentencing and bail reform to be able to address these offenders.”

Calgary’s Police Association says the job has become more dangerous but that it is hopeful the community can continue to support service members.

“These are a reminder that no matter how safe you are, there’s always people out there who are looking to harm our members,” said president John Orr.

“We have members in Calgary who served in Toronto, who served in Montreal, who served across Ontario and in Saskatchewan with the RCMP. So, they’ve lost friends, they’ve lost colleagues, and our brothers and sisters across the country are grieving right now.”

Orr says there are many challenges now facing officers.

“We see more guns coming off the street, we see more violent crime and I think it’s a narrative about society overall that we see a mental-health system that’s overworked and at its breaking point,” said Orr.

“And, just being blunt, we see a court system that is more and more catch-and-release, where violent offenders are out on bail.”

Criminologist Kelly Sundberg says there are disturbing social media trends impacting younger people and their mindset toward police.

“We have to start looking at where these attitudes are developing and what we can do to change them,” said Sundberg.

“But when we see the toxic messaging coming from social media, from our university and college campuses, when we see lax accountability being handed out by the courts, if any, it’s no wonder we see the frustration of the police.”

Sundberg says attacks of this nature on police are rare, but it can impact the service.

“It makes it very difficult for the police to recruit. Who wants to join a profession where you potentially could get killed?” said Sundberg.