(CBC News) – An RCMP officer in Labrador was found not guilty of criminal charges after firing at his own police cruiser during an investigation in 2009.
Judge William English said Tuesday Matthew Beaulieu was justified in taking several shots at the stolen RCMP vehicle as it charged towards him about a year and a half ago.
The incident happened just before midnight Nov. 6, 2009 while police were responding to an assault complaint in Sheshatshiu.
Earlier that night, Beaulieu tried to arrest a man who was believed to have committed an assault.
The man got away and took Beaulieu’s police vehicle.
Beaulieu and his partner followed him in another car, ending up in front of a house with the police cruiser coming towards them.
Beaulieu pulled out his gun and fired twice as the car drove past.
Judge English said Beaulieu was justified in firing his gun. English said he believes Beaulieu fired because he genuinely feared for his life.
Both shots hit the cruiser but missed the man driving it. Not long after the shooting, the man ditched the police car and gave himself up.
Since the incident, Beaulieu has been on office duty. The RCMP will now conduct an internal investigation, which could lead to disciplinary action.
Granted the RCMP upper management should have more backbone, however, not helping is that the current nanny state deters such resistance at every turn with whines of cover-up etc. And very true, if you are not out doing the job you will not raise any hackles.
The VPD in Vancouver BC have started a pilot project that takes civilians through a week long mini training course including firearms, scenarios, and other aspects of training to show them the split second decision making that gets years of attention if something goes awry.
Well-liked comment. Do you Like or Dislike:
12 
0
DT, good points. This is why the RCMP is a lousy employer. They persecute and embitter the good folks out there trying to do their job and clean up the streets while they coddle their useless employee’s who were hired under targets because it is PC and do nothing with the serial troublemakers who drag the bar down and lower morale.
Hot debate. What do you think?
4 
7
Another useless clear the air exercise. Maybe the internal kangaroo court will fine him for not locking the car.
Well-liked comment. Do you Like or Dislike:
15 
4