The Regina Police Service is reminding the public there are consequences for false reporting and misuse of police resources after a recent investigation related to a trend called “Swatting”
“Swatting” is the practice of making a false report to police that results in the service deploying emergency services teams, like the Special Weapons and Tactics Team, to a specific address.
The false call came in shortly before 10:30 p.m. on September 19, 2025. The Regina Police Service received a report that an adult female had been injured in a firearms-related incident in a residence in the southwest area of the city. The report noted that the suspect and a third person were still inside the residence. Due to the nature of the call for service, several members of the Regina Police Service Tactical Support Unit were dispatched to the address.
Following approved protocol in dealing with this type of call, officers forcibly opened a door in order to gain entry, search the residence and locate any potential victims. As a result of police entry, a female inside the residence sustained minor physical injuries. Following the initial search and investigation, two residents, including the injured adult female, were located. Neither of the residents matched the description in the report. It was determined there was no credible firearms threat or any threat as outlined in the initial report to police.
A subsequent investigation resulted in a 14 year-old male being charged. The male, who cannot be named in keeping with the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is charged with:
- Public Mischief [CC 140 (C)].
The male youth will make his first appearance in Regina Provincial Youth Court on December 18, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.
A/Chief Lorilee Davies reminds the public, there are real-life consequences to this dangerous trend.
“This is not a harmless prank” she says, “False reports to police not only put the public and police at risk of injury, or worse, but it takes our officers away from dealing with real crime and community safety concerns.”
This is the first reported incident of this nature involving the Regina Police Service. A/Chief Davies notes that even one occurrence like this is one too many.
“These are real people, real victims who, through no fault of their own, are being put into a high-risk and scary situation. It’s not acceptable.”
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