Calgary Police Officer Killed During New Years Traffic Stop

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

It's interesting that they say there were other officers either close to or at the scene when it happened. Surprised the perpetrators were able to get away in those circumstances.

I don't go through that area very often but it is not uncommon to see lots of police vehicles within a few blocks of where that happened at the CPS headquarters is just down the street.

[DeluxeMoustache]

^^ yes, Corsi, a learning opportunity for sure

Being offended by the law is IMO a disappointing takeaway

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

It's interesting that they say there were other officers either close to or at the scene when it happened. Surprised the perpetrators were able to get away in those circumstances.

They would have treated the injured officer first

[Oil Stain]

I have the bad habit of speeding and I've been caught a few times in the last few years. In a couple of instances it was police doing photo radar hidden from view and in both cases the officers jumped out into the street in front of my car. I couldn't help but think about how reckless the police were acting. If I were texting and didn't see them, or worse was deranged they both would have been finished.

Now, I'm not sure if they were trained to do that, or its just a matter of lack of training, but the police shouldn't be jumping in front of cars willy-nilly. I feel like police officers should be getting different safety training so that they are always aware that they should avoid putting themselves in a position where they could be ran over.

I'm not trying to put any blame on the officer in this particular incident, but I have personal experience seeing officers not take the risks of vehicles seriously and hopefully better training about positioning around vehicles is something good that will come of of this tragedy.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I have the bad habit of speeding and I've been caught a few times in the last few years. In a couple of instances it was police doing photo radar hidden from view and in both cases the officers jumped out into the street in front of my car. I couldn't help but think about how reckless the police were acting. .

I’m confused, photo radar is designed to be avoid police “jumping out”.

I’m not sure you got pinged with photo radar, cuz that ticket shows up in the mail and isn’t handed out by an officer, there is no need.

[GGG]

Probably regular radar. Think the stretch from Banff to radium where there is always speed traps with officers just waving people in.

I always wonder after these incidents if traffic stops are worth it. Could you have called out Hawcs to follow them or just have an unmarked vehicle follow them until they get out of the car. High Speed chases were ended after severa tragic incidents I wonder if there are better ways to keep officers safe.

[ignite09]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I have the bad habit of speeding and I've been caught a few times in the last few years. In a couple of instances it was police doing photo radar hidden from view and in both cases the officers jumped out into the street in front of my car. I couldn't help but think about how reckless the police were acting. If I were texting and didn't see them, or worse was deranged they both would have been finished.

Now, I'm not sure if they were trained to do that, or its just a matter of lack of training, but the police shouldn't be jumping in front of cars willy-nilly. I feel like police officers should be getting different safety training so that they are always aware that they should avoid putting themselves in a position where they could be ran over.

I'm not trying to put any blame on the officer in this particular incident, but I have personal experience seeing officers not take the risks of vehicles seriously and hopefully better training about positioning around vehicles is something good that will come of of this tragedy.

Maybe I'm interpreting it wrong, but I don't think he jumped out in front to stop them, or how did the second car become involved. It says he was struck while the car was fleeing a traffic stop. I interpret that to mean he had them pulled over.

[WhiteTiger]

Originally Posted by ignite09

Maybe I'm interpreting it wrong, but I don't think he jumped out in front to stop them, or how did the second car become involved. It says he was struck while the car was fleeing a traffic stop. I interpret that to mean he had them pulled over.

The couple of pictures from the scene show the Checkstop truck there. Might have been a Checkstop type situation, too.

[vegasbound]

Sgt Harnett had pulled them over because the license plate didn't match the vehicle.

[Strange Brew]

When I first read this, I had thought impaired driving and I detest impaired driving deeply and wish the penalties were far more severe. Maybe it is something different here.

In any case, a horrible, senseless tragedy. So very sad.

[WhiteTiger]

Update #4 – Calgary police officer killed in the line of duty

Two individuals wanted on warrants for first degree murder in relation to the death of Calgary Police Service officer Sgt. Andrew Harnett have turned themselves in to police.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., today, Friday, Jan. 1, 2020, co-accused Al-Azan Shah MUHAMMAD, 17, and Amir ABDULRAHMAN, 19, both from Calgary, were arrested at police headquarters after turning themselves in to police.

The Calgary Police Service would like to thank the media and the public for their help in furthering this investigation.

"Time is crucial in the progression of investigations, as evidence can be tampered with or destroyed if not quickly secured," says Staff Sergeant Martin Schiavetta of the Calgary Police Service Homicide Unit. "It was because of numerous tips from the public that we were able to locate and seize the suspect vehicle within hours and examine it for key evidence. We are grateful for the collaboration between the Service, our media partners and the community in working together to find answers in this tragedy."

As the investigation is still in its early stages, no new information will be released at this time.

https://www.facebook.com/CalgaryPoli...59029825544530

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I’m confused, photo radar is designed to be avoid police “jumping out”.

I’m not sure you got pinged with photo radar, cuz that ticket shows up in the mail and isn’t handed out by an officer, there is no need.

My bad I meant I was shot by radar.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by ignite09

Maybe I'm interpreting it wrong, but I don't think he jumped out in front to stop them, or how did the second car become involved. It says he was struck while the car was fleeing a traffic stop. I interpret that to mean he had them pulled over.

That's what I understand too, but you can pull someone over without putting yourself into a position where you could be struck by a car and perhaps this officer suffered a fatality because his guard was down in that regard.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I think it was a pretty reasonable question... there are plenty of people who wouldn't know about that quirk of the criminal justice system. In fact, though the Chief didn't answer it directly, one of the reporters in the press conference in that youtube video apparently didn't know about it either as he asked whether there had been any discussion about motive given the first degree charge.

My base opinion is probably less pro-police than many here, but that seems reasonable. Just as society can reasonably expect a higher standard of behaviour from those entrusted to use force legally, it is important that those extra responsibilities come with the maximum possible protections.

I'm probably one of the first to speak out if an officer exhibits poor behaviour, so I think its absolutely fair to speak out given this is an extra level of legal protection, which they deserve, imo.

RIP to the Sergeant.

[Fuzz]

Just saw on CBC they have turned themselves in.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1345170664064311298

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Just saw on CBC they have turned themselves in.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1345170664064311298

Excellent news. Manhunts rarely end well and now there is no risk to the public/police/offenders. Now the wheels of Justice begin to grind...

[Mightyfire89]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

That's what I understand too, but you can pull someone over without putting yourself into a position where you could be struck by a car and perhaps this officer suffered a fatality because his guard was down in that regard.

With all due respect, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Traffic stops are always potentially the most chaotic and dangerous thing a patrol cop does. Every time you pull someone over for even the most mundane of reasons, you could die. Your claim that “you can pull someone over without putting yourself into a position where you could be struck by a car” is patently false.

[Poster]

RIP to the officer.

I am curious though. If I am the passenger in a vehicle that gets pulled over and the driver makes a decision such as to put his foot on the gas and acccidently runs over and kills and officer, I can be charged with murder simply for being in the passenger seat?

I understand if we had commited a different crime and this accident happened as a result but what about just a regular circumstance where I am just an innocent passenger?

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Of course not. If you're just an innocent passenger, you haven't committed a crime.

[shogged]

getting charged is also not the same as a conviction. the charge makes sense to me, he could have popped the car into neutral as a very basic example.


again though, I'm not suggesting the charge will stick and result in a conviction for the passenger.