Chief Darcy Fleury is concerned with a rising trend in replica weapons appearing in investigations.
THUNDER BAY — City police offered a show and tell of sorts to local media of replica firearms that have been cropping up more recently in police investigations. All five of the items were, in fact, replica guns -- four of which had been seized during police investigations. One is a TBPS training pistol, another appears to be a plastic toy gun, and the remainder include airsoft and pellet guns.
Fleury added these items pose a "real concern for officers, and for the people that possess them" as incidents will be treated with extreme caution until police confirm there is no risk to public safety when responding to a weapons call. While not an imitation weapon, the police service's exhibition also featured a gun disguised as a cellphone. "This is the first time that I've seen something that is manufactured for the purpose of disguising its true purpose," he said.
Both the chief and the inspector said responding officers will treat a weapons call as if there is a lethal weapon that poses a risk to safety. They want the public to be responsible when using imitation or airsoft weapons. "The only way we can prevent these sorts of incidents is by putting it into the public awareness that this creates a very real danger for police, for the public and for the people who unadvisedly choose to present these as true firearms," Pearson said.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Corrections chief briefed Mendicino's chief of staff weeks before Bernardo's prison transferPaul Bernardo, shown in a courtroom sketch Tuesday morning, is up for parole again at a hearing where the parents of his victims are opposing his release.
Read more »
Police chief insists force treats protesters the same, after convoy ticketing confusionChief Eric Stubbs speaks to city councillors during deliberations over the Ottawa Police Service's 2024 budget on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.
Read more »
Suspected gang member believed to be recruiting near schools: Victoria police chiefThe individual, who was arrested, was allegedly recruiting students in parking lots across the street from several schools, Del Manak told the Greater Victoria School Board
Read more »
Nishnawbe Aski Police Service's chief suspended over misconduct allegationsRoland Morrison is the new Nishnawbe Aski Police Service Chief. He is a member of the Chapleau Cree First Nation, and is the first Nishnawbe Aski Nation recruit to rise through the ranks and take over the top job.
Read more »
London Police chief apologizes to alleged victim for length of WJC team investigationNearly six years after a woman alleged she had been sexually assaulted by five then-members of Canada's World Junior hockey team, the police chief of a southwestern Ontario city offered an apology for how long it had taken for charges to be laid in the case.
Read more »
Taber police chief receives Order of Merit from Governor GeneralA southern Alberta police Chief has been appointed as a member of the Order of Merit.
Read more »