Flin Flon RCMP recently arrested a local youth in connection to a weapons incident, who later coughed into an officer’s face after making references to COVID-19.
On April 3, 2020, at approximately 9:25pm, Flin Flon RCMP responded to a call of a disturbance on Second Avenue. Officers were advised that a 16-year-old male was on the street and was in possession of a knife while making threats to harm a homeowner who resided on the street.
Officers located the youth and placed him under arrest for uttering threats and possession of a weapon. He was then transported to the Creighton RCMP detachment. As the youth was being led into the detachment, he began making threats that included references to COVID-19 and then forcefully coughed multiple times into an officer’s face. The suspect was then arrested for assaulting a police officer and later released to his family.
Police say that it is not believed that the youth had COVID-19, but as a precautionary measure, the officer is self-monitoring.
“Our officers are focusing on education and are using discretion when it comes to enforcing measures related to COVID-19,” said Sgt. Paul Manaigre of the Manitoba RCMP. “However, we will arrest individuals who willfully disregard public health measures and potentially endanger others.”
Manitoba RCMP say that they remain committed to providing policing services to Manitobans, and want to remind the piblic that every person has a role to play in contributing to public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
