Members of the Chestermere RCMP detachment attended a Top Cop fitness competition in Drumheller on June 12, with local officers taking the top two spots.
Seven officers from the detachment put their fitness levels to the test. During the competition, participants ran an obstacle course that included a 60-step stair climb with a 25-pound tactical pack, hoisting a 30-pound tactical pack up the 40-foot tower, climbing over a four-foot fence, crawling through a tunnel eight feet long, using an eight-pound mallet to simulate a forced door entry, shooting a firearm, handcuffing a 175-pound dummy and pulling it 22 metres to the finish line.
“We congratulate these officers for achieving such great results,” said Chestermere Mayor Patricia Matthews.
Const. Sam Dupuis came in first place with Const. Kim Hall placing second. This was the first time the police component was added to the Scott Fire Fit Championship, which has been ongoing for many years. Const. Matt Thurston organized the local team.
Staff Sgt. Glenn Henry said he is very proud of these officers who put in a great deal of time to maintain a high standard of fitness and participate in this event.
“Residents of Chestermere can be secure in knowing many of their RCMP members are at their peak physical fitness,” said Henry.
On June 10 at about 5:45 p.m., Cochrane RCMP responded to a call of five teens on the Bow River in small rafts drinking beer.
According to the complainant, the teens were not wearing life jackets and looked very cold.
It was raining at the time with thunder and lightning. Cochrane Fire Department, EMS as well as Fish and Wildlife attended the scene and assisted in the search, which lasted about two hours.
The Cochrane Fire Department conducted an extensive search on the water and located the rafts, which was secured to the shore.
It was later determined that the youths had been picked up by a CP Rail train conductor.
The unidentified boys and two girls were taken into Cochrane.
“The public is reminded that the high flow of the Bow River and other waterways still create hazardous conditions with fast moving water,” said Const. Julie Lagrange.
“Residents should use extreme caution and stay clear of the river.”
On June 14 at about 1:45 p.m., the RCMP became involved in a pursuit with a 1979 Winnebago.
The pursuit started near Delacour, east of Calgary, when Strathmore RCMP members identified a man, who was wanted on outstanding warrants for breaching conditions related to a domestic violence complaint.
The vehicle initially stopped, however, the accused, James Collinson, 47, of Acme, fled in a van.
The pursuit continued to Calgary and then exited back onto Highway 2 north.
Hawks helicopter attended to assist and tracked the vehicle for the RCMP.
The vehicle continued to travel northeast on the highway and while attempting to evade a spike belt on Highway 791 near Olds, rolled into the ditch.
Collinson was transported to Foothills Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released.
He was arrested on the outstanding warrants and is facing possible charges including two new counts of criminal harassment, dangerous driving and criminal flight from police.
On June 15 at about 1:20 p.m., a residential construction worker building a new house in the Aspenmere Close area of Chestermere fell about 30 feet and was seriously injured.
The construction worker, a 52-year-old man from Calgary, was on the second floor of the new house when he fell, landing in the basement.
There were a number of workers at the construction zone at the time that immediately assisted and called for help. STARS Air Ambulance attended the scene. Chestermere/Rockyview Fire Services, Chestermere Community Peace Officers, Chestermere RCMP and Emergency Medical Services also attended.
The Alberta Occupational, Health and Safety office will conduct an investigation with assistance of the Chestermere RCMP.
The family of the injured man has been notified by the Calgary Police Service and was escorted to Calgary hospital.
During the late afternoon of June 12, a Chestermere resident returned from a short holiday to find his house had been broken into.
The suspects entered by breaking through a basement window. Numerous items were stolen including a HP laptop, an Xbox 360 and a camera from a home in the 200 block of West Lakeview Drive.
Chestermere RCMP received a description of a possible suspect that came to the same house on June 8 ringing the doorbell several times before walking along the side of the house. The suspect is described as a Caucasian man wearing a red jacket.
He had dark hair that was shaved on the sides and had the top pulled back in a braid.
“Chestermere residents are encouraged to get to know their neighbours and to inform these neighbours when they are going to be away for any extended periods of time,” said Const. Josh Reeves.
“It is encouraged to have others watch over their residence during an extended period of absence.”
If you have information on any unsolved crime, call your local RCMP detachment at 403-945-7200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.crimestoppers.ab.ca
