Police crisis team negotiations lead to de-escalation and arrest

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on October 29, 2024.

news@medicinehatnews.com

A PACT officer was able to decompress a situation following a successful negotiation with an assault suspect who brandished a knife and threatened a police officer, leading to the arrest of a 44-year-old Medicine Hat man last Wednesday.

Approximately 11:45 a.m. police were called to a report of an injured person in the 800 block of Third Street SE and learned the person was assaulted at a home on the same block.

When police attempted to speak with the homeowner and suspect of the assault they were met by a man holding a knife who was uncooperative with responding police officers.

Police called in a Police and Crisis Team officer to de-escalate the situation and negotiate the suspect out of his residence.

The unnamed man has been charged with assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, possession of a dangerous weapon as well as uttering threats.

Police say the victim and suspect know each other.

The Medicine Hat man is scheduled to make an appearance in court Nov. 18.

On Oct. 23, police also responded to the area of First Street and Sixth Avenue SE after receiving a report that a man had been stabbed.

Traffic advisory

This morning starting at 9 a.m. police will be conducting an over dimensional load escort that will affect traffic in both the east and westbound lanes on the TCH and in the SW Industrial area.

The load will begin at Bromley Mechanical, 925 23th Street SW, and travel to the west Redcliff town limits along the Trans-Canada.

Police are asking motorists to avoid the area if possible and to be patient and follow all road directions given by police, bylaw and escort vehicles.

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