Pages

Wednesday, 30 May 2012

BREAKING NEWS - Angus Mitchell Has Been Shot by Police

BCAS Supervisor leaves the shooting scene
I just received a notification on my Iphone from 'The Province' app. 
"Manhunt: Police gun down homicide suspect in Maple Ridge"
Maple Ridge RCMP shoot the suspect in the Burnaby shooting. According to The Province, mounties were chasing the suspect in Maple Ridge (on foot) and shot him. There are no specific details as this JUST happened. Mitchell probably pulled the rifle on the Mounties, forcing them to shoot at him.
Witness reports say they heard the shots and briefly after, saw a BCAS helicopter. Mitchell has been transported to hospital. 
As i said, this has just happened so details will turn up later today about Mitchell's health and what actually happened.
In my last post, I said that this wouldn't turn out well. He wasn't going down easily. I'm afraid that I am right, I would rather Mitchell being arrested and serving his time in jail. But if he did try and shoot at police, then police did what they had too.
I will update everybody later on this. Until then, check the province and other news agencies. There is bound to be a lot of publicity of this incident.

Picture was found here: http://live.theprovince.com/Event/Police_news_conference_regarding_Angus_Mitchell
I take no credit for the picture

RCMP Public Warning - Man Wanted

A couple of days ago in Burnaby, a man was shot outside his burnaby home. He was taken to hospital, but with serious condition. Presently, he remains in that state. 

RCMP have identified the shooter as 26-year-old Angus David Mitchell. Burnaby RCMP say he is extremely dangerous and armed with a sniper rifle. If you see him, you should call 911, DO NOT confront him. He is emotionally unstable and can turn deadly quickly. 
Police say that Angus is living in his green van. Police also asked all motels, hotels, shopping plazas to look out for this vehicle in their parking lots. He is on the move and could be outside of Burnaby now.
Mitchell is wanted by the RCMP for an attempted murder. The victim is mitchell's landlord. Police aren't sure exactly what made Angus snap. They cannot question the victim at this time due to the fact that he is in serious condition in hospital. 
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (where i want to be in the future :) )are currently investigating this horrible crime. Police all over the Lower Mainland are looking for this guy. It is only a matter of time before he is caught, killed by police, commits suicide, or other possibilities.
From books and studies that I have read; I am sure that this is going to turn out deadly. It is like cornering a wounded animal. "Wounded" refers to his emotional well being. "Cornering" refers to being hunted by every police force in the lower mainland.

Thursday, 24 May 2012

Link to Richmond RCMP Pictures/Photos

Go HERE to view all the photos I took at the Richmond RCMP detachment. The album features all the different types of vehicles including: crown victorias, AT-Vs, and others.
I also took photos of the RCMP equipment that both the General Duty members use and the Auxiliary members do.

OR GO HERE TO VIEW ON FLICKR

Tuesday, 22 May 2012

Richmond RCMP - Police Week


I will upload some Richmond RCMP pictures/photos from last Saturday (May 19/2012).
The Richmond RCMP held an event to celebrate police week at the Richmond RCMP detachment on the number 5 road. The event was held in the parking lot and featured many police vehicles, police demonstrations including the lower mainland police dog service, auxiliary members and the program, being able to talk and interact with regular members, and more. I attended the event in the morning and was able to talk to many auxiliary members and regular members. Including a Corporal who has worked in the RCMP for 34 years and has been stationed in many different detachments in provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan and others. He has experienced both city and small town policing and everthing in between. Also, since he has been in the RCMP for 34 years, he has experienced the change of policing over time. I think that is an incredible story and i congratulated him. He wished me luck with my dream of becoming an RCMP officer. He also talked about the "bad apples" in the RCMP. He used my exact words from my original post. That really hit the spot!

MY PHOTOS AND PICTURES WILL COME SOON.

Here is a video I took while at the event. It shows the Richmond Fire Department leaving the event code 3 to a car crash. Enjoy. I love the siren :)

Border Integrity - Seizure of more than 3,000 Marjuana Plants




The border integrity unit of the RCMP got a search warrant for a residence in the kootenay region. Kootenay regional RCMP worked closely with the border integrity unit to execute the search warrant. After searching the house, 3,000 Marjuana plants were seized and 4 suspects were arrested.
This is a huge seizure and the result of it is greater. This property had no intent of growing the plants for peronal use. Instead, the marjuana would be sold in kootenay and/or sent somewhere else to be sold. The following statement from Sgt.Dennis Blanch explains this:

 When you have 3000 marihuana plants at one location the plants were not being grown for personal use. Grow-ops of this nature are strictly designed for profits and further distribution, says Sgt Dennis Blanch, NCO i/c Nelson Border Integrity Program.

There is no good reason or excuse to have that many plants. The overall result of a grow op can create an increase in criminal activity around the property and area, higher risk of home fires, explosions and other dangerous things that pose a threat and danger to the general public. Sgt.Dennis Blanch also explains this in the following statement:

Marihuana grow operations harm communities. Wherever they exist, there’s the potential for an increase in criminal activity and a greater chance of fire, explosions and violence on top of additional economic costs and other health and safety risks, says Sgt. Blanch.

The Border Integrity Unit is a great example of an RCMP unit that works closely with other RCMP detachments, municipal police forces and provincial police forces. This Federal unit deals with federal border crimes all over canada. It is like the FBI in the states that has federal jurisdiction. These units are a great way of targeting federal crimes. Municipal and Provincial police forces let Border Integrity of possible grow ops and deal with them accordingly. How is a federal unit supposed to know exactly where grow ops are? The regular police force that police and know the area do instead.

Overall, this is a great unit and execution. 

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Month of May - Tackling High Risk Driving and Drivers

The below is a statement posted on the E Division website. The statement was post by Sgt.Pierre Lemaitre of the Traffic Services. He includes information about driving in BC and a direct quote from the Superintendent Denis Boucher.

 I would just like to say that the RCMP is doing a good job. I am a new driver so I'm not very experienced. Whenever i get in the car, I fear of crashing. The statistics below are very frightening, especially for me. But in the month of May, I have seen a huge increase in police presence in my city. I have also seen many traffic stings like speed traps, seat belt checks and traffic stops. When i see a greater increase in police presence, i feel safer. Even if they don't do any traffic stops or anything, their mere presence causes enough authority that will make people not do what they would usually do. Things like speeding. Whenever my parents are driving, they ask me to look out for the police because i can spot them from a mile away and know all the different vehicles that are in the Richmond RCMP fleet. Whenever i see one (or more), I tell my parents and they slam on the breaks. That goes for drivers around us as well. As soon as people see a police car, they instinctively put on the brakes and try and get below the speed limit. Why do you speed in the first place? Many crashes are caused by people speeding, seeing a police car, then slamming on the brakes and getting rear ended by the car behind them.

Overall, I would just like to say that I am proud of the Richmond RCMP this month. Keep up the good work.

 

Tackling high risk driving continues

Traffic Services

File # High Risk Driving
2012-05-16 09:14 PDT In an effort to reduce death and injuries, the RCMP in British Columbia are continuing their traffic enforcement efforts targeting high risk drivers. Since the beginning of May, RCMP have been focused across the Province on high-risk driving behaviours including identifying and dealing with impaired drivers, speeding, improper passing, failing to yield, following too closely, and ignoring a traffic control devices.

Here are some facts you ought to know each time you drive in British Columbia. ICBC statistics show that:

• Over 40,000 crashes that happen in British Columbia every year.
• A five year average shows that 76,000 people are injured in motor vehicle collisions
• 241 persons are injured every day
• Approximately 60 per cent of motor vehicle collisions happen at intersections in B.C.

It is important to remember that these are not just motorists, but it includes pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Education and enforcement go hand in hand. Remember to give yourself time, and allow for extra travel time in case of delays. Leave enough space between your vehicle and the one in front of you. When you are at an intersection and about to make a left hand turn, yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic.

The RCMP Officer in charge of traffic enforcement in British Columbia, Superintendent Denis BOUCHER states that, All road users should be vigilant and use a common sense approach. Our job as police in the Province is to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on BC road ways. Your job as a driver is to obey the laws and keep the roads safe for you, your family and others.

Released by:
Sgt Pierre Lemaitre
E Division Traffic Services
604-539-2718

Email: bcrcmp@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Thursday, 10 May 2012

Fatal Ecstacy Pills - Thursday, May 10, 2012

A number of people in the Lower Mainland have fallen ill and/or died due to the contaminated ecstasy pills. The drug has now moved to Penticton. Penticton isn't a very big city. This is bad for the community. Many teenagers have taken the drug and have fallen into a coma and never came out of it.
   
http://bc.rcmp.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=50&languageId=1&contentId=25252       

I know a girl who went to the same school as me. She took the pill at a party and later that night, ended up in the hospital. She was in a coma for a long time. Never woke up, moved, etc. Eventually, she passed away. A lot of the teachers that taught her were very sad and emotional.

In reality, ecstasy can do cause the following short term effects:

"The effects of ecstasy are unpredictable. Some people may experience panic attacks or anxiety. Ecstasy may also produce pleasant feelings and a sense of well-being (euphoria), friendliness, empathy, and closeness to others. All amphetamines, including ecstasy, produce a sense of energy and confidence.
Short-term use of ecstasy can produce many other effects:
  • decreased appetite
  • increased blood pressure and heart rate
  • increase in body temperature
  • teeth grinding and jaw pain
  • nausea and vomiting
In addition, a person could potentially experience:
  • distortion of perception
  • paranoia
  • hallucinations
MDMA causes an increase in body temperature (hyperthermia). When you combine the increase in body temperature with physical activity such as dancing and a warm environment, the situation can become worse. This increase in body temperature as well as the increase in blood pressure and heart rate can lead to kidney or heart failure, strokes and seizures. Some people drink too much water to avoid dehydration. This can result in dangerously low salt levels in the blood, which can lead to confusion, convulsions and delirium and can progress quickly to coma and death from the swelling of the brain.
When the effects of ecstasy have worn off, a user may feel anxious, confused, depressed, and may have trouble sleeping. Memory problems, 'flashbacks' and paranoia may also occur.
A person may not know that they are more likely to suffer from the dangerous effects of ecstasy. People with diabetes, epilepsy, heart and liver problems, or mental disorders are most at risk.
Ecstasy should not be combined with other drugs. Toxic reactions can occur if it is taken with drugs used to treat depression or HIV." -Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/drugs-drogues/learn-renseigne/ecstasy-eng.php

The long term effects are not great either. Drug dealers and the makers of the drug can put ANYTHING in the dug. I remember watching an episode of "The Beat" which features the Vancouver Police Department's specialised unit that patrols the downtown east side. The officers responded to dozens of overdoses a day. Most were from ecstasy. I also recall in the newspaper (special article about the rise in over doses from ecstasy) that said that the drug makers put disgusting things into the drugs. Things like: rat droppings, detergent, and other toxins and weird items.

Why would you take the risk?

Friday, 4 May 2012

Richmond Mountie Injured After Police Pursuit

The video above is only 4 minutes of a police chase, which involved numerous police departments, including: Vancouver Police Department, New Westminster Police Department and Richmond RCMP.
 
This all started when VPD called Richmond RCMP telling them that a vehicle had been stolen in Vancouver and is now located somewhere in Richmond. Richmond RCMP conducted a search. 2 plain clothes/unmarked units closed in on the suspect after finding him. They got out and gave verbal commands to the suspect to get on the ground. The suspect disobeyed and got back in the stolen pick up truck. The suspect then proceeded to ram the 2 units, seriously injuring one plain-clothes Richmond RCMP officer who is now in hospital with a broken leg and other injuries. The suspect sped out of Richmond and headed for New Westminster. That’s where Air 1 entered the pursuit. The suspect continued heading to New Westminster with unmarked units closely watching him from a distance. They were waiting for the suspect to bail so he would be less dangerous for innocent by standers. The suspect bailed the vehicle in New Westminster near a ford dealership. All unmarked and marked New Westminster officers moved in. Following the suspect into the ford dealership where he was arrested and taken back to Richmond custody.

This pursuit is another great example of the teamwork between all departments involved. The integration helped this chase. 4 different parties were involved in this incident and the quick response of New Westminster Police Department and the help of Air 1 giving the suspect’s location paid off in the end.

The video shows the perspective of Air 1. This includes the Air 1 members talking to ground units and dispatch and includes some of the pursuit and the bail which lead to the arrest.

This is not my video and i do not take any credit for it.

My Dream and Life Goal

My Dream and Life Goal

I dream of becoming an RCMP constable. Everything about the RCMP makes me proud of my goal. I have made many decisions throughout my life that have helped me stay on track to becoming an RCMP constable. Decisions like: saying no to drugs, alcohol, defusing fights, etc. I find it hard to explain the pride I feel. Whenever I hear a siren in the distance, I try my best to see the emergency vehicle responding, it amazes me. Whenever I hear a 911 call, I get shivers up my spine. I want to help and I find that feeling exhilarating. I wouldn’t mind working long hours. Even if the day is slow. I would just be so proud and happy just to wear the uniform and represent the RCMP. The authority behind the badge, and just the mere presence of standing in an area makes a difference.

I want to help people, make a difference and give back to my community. I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. Other jobs feel boring and do not appeal to me. Having the same schedule and things everyday. That’s the beauty of being a police officer; no 2 days are the same. Something new happens everyday. Even if you are doing a traffic stop, it’s never the same. The person could be a fugitive.
I don’t want to just go around arresting people; I want to respond to accidents like car crashes, search and rescue, things like that. Those are the kinds of jobs that police should be respected and thanked for. They don’t just arrest people, they help people. If I can make a difference in one person’s life, then I will feel a sense of accomplishment.

My life goal is to become a police officer with the RCMP, but after that, I want to work my way through the ranks and become a corporal or sergeant with either the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team or the Major Crimes Unit in BC (most likely the lower mainland).

Integrated Units/Teams in British Columbia (BC)

I absolutely love integrated units. I think this is the key for multiple municipal police agencies, as well as provincial and federal, to all work together to fight the same problems. Why waste time trying to fight for jurisdiction? When there is an integrated unit, for example, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) that consists of RCMP, delta police department, Vancouver police department, and many other municipal police departments in the lower mainland. Members with different skills and experience can work together efficiently and not have to deal with jurisdictional boundaries. I think this is going to be the best in the future.

Whenever I look at the United Sates on the other hand, they are always fighting over jurisdiction. They’re wasting time fighting while they should be fighting crime. For example, metro police, sheriffs department, state troopers, FBI, etc. There are too many agencies. BC is good at having cooperative investigations, teams and units. There is the RCMP that conducts all federal crimes and most provincial crimes (apart form Ontario and Quebec). Then for municipal police there is the RCMP and others.
That’s 3 basic stages while the states have many. The smaller, the better in my opinion.

Here is a link to all the Integrated Units/Teams in BC: http://www.ifnu.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=149&languageId=1&contentId=-1

RCMP – The Good and Bad Apples

I am very sick of people blaming the RCMP for doing everything wrong. Very rarely do you hear a word of thanks towards the RCMP in BC. Instead, all i hear is complaints and cruel things towards the BC RCMP.

Below is a link to the both sides of the story. I strongly believe the RCMP acted accordingly to the situation. The editor claims he was harassed and shared his views on the web and local newspaper complaining about it. Instead, he should’ve gone to the Sergeant of the detachment/unit and talk directly to him/her. He could also have gone directly to BC wide inspectors and the complaints board, etc. The way he published the paper makes himself look bad. The whole article was about the RCMP doing wrong things and abusing their power.

Later in the article, the reporter posts the reply from the RCMP towards the Osooyos editor. The post indicates all the wrong doing of the editor. The RCMP officer who conducted the traffic stop had every legal right to perform that traffic stop. Plus, there was a video recording taken from the dashcam on the police cruiser. The video has both audio and visual to it. The video proves that everything the editor said in his article is wrong. The officer did everything right.

This is a classic example of the people abusing THEIR power. The people, representing the residents that the RCMP serve Canada wide. The sooner Canadians have trust in their national police service, the sooner the RCMP can do their jobs properly without being in fear of being publically abused for doing exactly what they were trained to do.

Obviously there are the bad apples in the force. That goes with every police force. The difference is that the RCMP is Canada wide and a huge police force with a long and proud history. There are almost 30,000 RCMP officers Canada wide (including civilian members). There is bound to be at least a couple of members out of that huge number that are corrupted, abusive with their powers, etc. I don’t want that small number of bad apples to ruin the good ones. Imagine almost 30,000 members that work hard to protect and serve their community. They are not represented by that small number of bad members. I’m saying that you can’t represent the overall image of a police force, like the RCMP, on the small number of bad members. This doesn’t just go for police, but also for any kind of job.

Editors Article: http://bcreporter.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/osooyos-editor-slams-cops-after-traffic-stop-rcmp-threatens-to-release-video/

RCMP’s Response: http://bc.rcmp.ca/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=50&languageId=1&contentId=24119#.TzSM4FQrSwQ.twitter