A 30 year-old Regina male was taken safely into custody today after an incident in the City’s South East that involved Patrol, Canine, Crisis Negotiators and SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) members, responding to an incident involving an adult male who was threatening harm to himself.
At approximately 11:00 a.m. this morning (Friday, June 3, 2016) patrol members were dispatched to a house on Britannia Place in SE Regina (just off Windsor Park Crescent). Information received in the call indicated an adult male was in the garage on the property and threatening to harm himself. Patrol members arrived and removed the other residents of the house to safety, but the male would not allow himself to be taken into custody. Because of the seriousness of the incident, a request was made for Crisis Negotiators, SWAT and Canine members. After a lengthy negotiation, the male subject surrendered to police at approximately 5:40 p.m. the investigation into the matter is ongoing.
The Police Service also worked closely with Regina Public Schools and the Regina Catholic School Division through this incident, because of the relative proximity of two elementary schools. The Schools are within five or six blocks of the residence on Britannia Place, so the schools boards were notified. There were School Resource Officers at both locations and the schools were placed in Secure-the-Building mode as a precaution. (Secure-the-Building is a situation where it is believed a potential threat is currently outside the building, resulting in the decision to secure the school whereby all outside doors are locked to secure the building. Each exterior door is monitored by designated school staff until Secure the Building mode has been lifted. Entry and exit of the building is at the front doors only and is monitored by police and school administration. Regular interior school activities continue in a controlled manner.)
The goal in every deployment of Crisis Negotiators and SWAT is to achieve a safe resolution, without harm to any member of the public, police or the subject. Thankfully, this incident was resolved safely and the Regina Police Service acknowledges and thanks the area residents, school staff and students, and members of the public for their patience, trust and co-operation in this matter.