Editorial — Nothing is ever routine about policing
EDITORIAL — Wednesday’s shooting of Kamloops RCMP Cpl. Jean Rene Michaud during a traffic stop is a reminder of how dangerous a job policing our community can be.
A Chrysler Intrepid like this one was subject of intense search.
The early morning shooting spurred a 12-hour manhunt in the Batchelor Heights area that resulted in the arrest of a 36-year-old suspect. Details about what happened were sparse, with even Michaud’s name being withheld by police for most of the day.
However, we do know that Michaud had stopped a car and was approaching it when he was shot. A police member in another vehicle who had arrived at the scene was able to return fire, and the suspect fled in the car.
As the investigation continues and more evidence is gathered, more details will no doubt be revealed as to why the suspect was pulled over, and what exactly transpired during the shooting.
While Cpl. Michaud, at this writing, remains in critical condition, hopes and prayers are being offered across the province and country for his recovery.
As we see RCMP members going about their daily duties around the community, their ever-present bullet-proof vests sometimes seem an over-statement. Cpl. Michaud was wearing his vest at the time of the shooting.
Traffic stops and domestic disputes are among the most dangerous situations for police to handle, and they handle many of them. The disturbing incident Wednesday is a reminder that nothing is ever routine for those who keep law and order in our communities.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
It has just been announced that the transport driver has died of his injuries.
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Some perspective is required to fully understand the risks police face on the job. In excess of 100 people will be killed or die as a result of work place accidents in British Columbia this year. It is unlikely that that number will include a single police officer. 2014 will be an average year for work place deaths. For every death there are thousands of injuries like, this one that occurred Dec.3:
” ARMSTRONG, B.C. — A transport driver has suffered life-threatening injuries after a load of lumber fell on top of him at Rapid-Span Ltd. in Armstrong at around 1:20 Wednesday afternoon.
Emergency officials say the victim, a man in his 50’s, was untying a load of lumber on his truck when the wood shifted and fell on top of him. He was transported by ambulance to Vernon Jubilee Hospital in critical condition.”
The police shooting received national coverage whereas this story received very little coverage, yet the man’s injuries are as critical as the police officer’s.
Compared to many trade professions, police work is relatively safe.
It is important that police officers understand this. Looking at the videos of the recent incidents of police shooting civilians in the U.S. shows that police were reacting in a fearful manner, perceiving risks greater than they actually were.
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Are you actually comparing workplace accidents to being targeted and shot? To never knowing what to expect when you step out of the car to investigate the suspicious person in the dark, or the store alarm going off? Really? This received coverage because some decided that when this cop came up to him he would try to kill him. Someone wanted this cop to die. Workplace accidents are never premeditated they are just those, accidents. Does it make them less tragic, no. But please not not tell me that a trade profession is more dangerous than being a police officer. Try telling that to all the cops who hunted down Justin Borque in NB. At least they weren’t welding!
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