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Columbia Valley RCMP Report
Between the dates of August 22 and August 29, the Columbia Valley Detachment has responded to 84 calls for service. Over this same time period in 2016 there were 99 calls for service.
Here are a few examples of some of the files that were dealt with by
officers of the Columbia Valley Detachment of the RCMP.
Impaired charge on Highway 93/95
On August 23 âThe Trainer a.k.a. Momâ and âTraineeâ were travelling northbound on Highway 93/95 when a northbound white Chevrolet Blazer was noted to cross the centre line driving partially in the southbound lane. The vehicle then over corrected back into the northbound lane crossing into the shoulder. A traffic stop was conducted immediately with the vehicle in order to check sobriety. Vehicle was registered to the driver, driver, and only occupant. The driver admitted to drinking one beer
âan hour ago.â Suspicion formed and âThe Trainerâ requested that the driver exit the vehicle to provide samples of breath. Approved Screen Demand (ASD) read and understood and the driver agreed to provide a sample. After three insufficient attempts a valid sample of breath was accepted into the ASD which resulted in a FAIL. The driver was read their right to a second test and opted to provide a second sample. Second valid sample of breath provided into a different ASD also resulted in a FAIL.
The BC driverâs licence was seized and the driver was served 90 day driving prohibition at roadside. Vehicle impounded for 30 days and towed.
Scam call
On August 24 Columbia Valley RCMP received a report at the front counter from a concerned citizen that a voice mail had been received two or three days earlier from an unknown male who had identified themselves as an officer.
The name left is not known to be a police officer locally. That in this instance the complainant had to phone him back, and that it is extremely important and that if she chooses to ignore the voice mail âgood luck to themâ as the event unfolds. At no time did the caller state who they worked for or what the matter was about. In this instance the phone number left was provided to police who attempted to call the number multiple times but was always busy.
In the majority of police involved communications, if it is extremely important a police officer will attend in person. Otherwise like in any profession or business the message left should be professional, make sense, and obviously provides the name and contact information of the police officer who wishes to make contact.
There have been scams especially through tax time of subjects falsely representing themselves as Revenue Canada employees and it is very probable that there are those attempting to represent themselves as police officers in order to extract or extort personal information. If it does not feel right, please report the incident directly to police. In this instance it is unknown what the motive was.
Intoxicated in public; charged
On August 26 (a different Trainee, but similar name) with his TrainerâPopsâ) were on patrol in the area on Copper Point Bar in Invermere when they noticed a male (later Identified) who appeared to be heavily intoxicated walking on the sidewalk and in the middle of the road. The Trainer spoke to the adult male who was slurring his words, not making much sense with his responses to questions and admitted to drinking 12-14 beer. The Trainer arrested the male for disturbing the peace by being drunk in a public place, providing the males Charter and Warning, Section 10(a) and 10(b) of the Canadian Charter Of Rights and Freedoms. The male was transported to cells to be released in the morning with a Violation Ticket for intoxicated in public, S. 74(1) of the Liquor Control Act.
Three injured in helicopter crash
On August 24, at approximately 1:45 p.m. Columbia Valley RCMP received a report of a helicopter crash in the northern section of Assiniboine Provincial Park (just west of Sunshine Village) involving an AStar 350 B-2 helicopter belonging to Mustang helicopters. The helicopter was working within the fire control zone of the Verdant Creek Fire in Kootenay Park.
Although the crash involved four occupants there appeared to be no injuries.
A fire crew leader who was on the ground at the time witnessed the crash. Three of the four occupants of the helicopter were airlifted from the crash zone to Banff Hospital while the remaining occupant refused to be airlifted and decided to walk out of the crash zone. Columbia Valley RCMP liaised with the Transportation Safety Board, Parks Canada and Banff RCMP.
The Transportation Safety Board advised that they would not be attending the crash scene and they requested RCMP obtain statements from the occupants and photos of the accident. Although there has been no official cause of the crash determined at this time it is believed that gusty winds at the time may have been the primary contributor. The helicopter involved received a broken tail boom and the Transportation Board gave approval for the aircraft to be removed.
Lighter side to policing
I think it would be fair to say that on occasion police / emergency services work involves very serious and tragic circumstances and a high degree of professionalism is maintained through these events. Many use humor as a coping mechanism. Nicknames are used on occasion. A long time nickname for example was âNew Guyâ who is actually now a veteran of this detachment and is probably the next in line to transfer, nickname stayed. We have three newer members who have combined just over one year service. They are Andrew, Drew, and Andrew. Yes, confusing. Subsequently they are âBig Countryâ, âSmokey Bearâ, and âTackleberry.â Our Detachment Commander has been referring to myself lately as âB Dog.â
Recently when working a day shift with our âLeaderâ – Detachment Commander âB Bob, my immediate back up was âSmokey Bear, going on three monthsâ service.â. âB Bob and I combined have probably in excess of 50 years of service. I asked âSmokey Bearâ how it was to work with Bob and I. âSmokey Bearâ replied without hesitation, âitâs like being without âMom and âDadâ and hanging around with your cool uncles.â Good One!
– Cpl. Brent Ayers, Columbia Valley RCMP Detachment.
