It was a combination of astute observation, investigation and medical intervention that prevented a quantity of drugs from ending up in a Regina remand centre last week. These same actions may have also prevented a medical emergency for a 37 year-old suspect, who was attempting to smuggle drugs into a detention facility.
On September 26, 2018, a 37 year-old Regina male presented himself at the front desk of the Regina Police Service indicating he wanted to turn himself in for a breach of curfew. The suspect was taken into custody and placed in a detention cell at Regina Police Service headquarters. Due to the suspicious nature of the individual’s actions, it was suspected he may be hiding drugs on/in his person in order to smuggle them into the Regina Correctional Centre. Through investigation, police learned that the suspect was hiding drugs in his body. The suspect was taken to hospital in order to have the drugs safely removed. The suspect was then remanded into the custody of Correctional Centre staff. Charges are pending the conclusion of this investigation.
So why do a news release on this topic? Four reasons:
- The challenges facing police officers are becoming more and more complex;
- Drug addiction causes people to engage in desperate, high-risk behaviours;
- Officers and detention staff are well-trained, observant and aware of their responsibilities toward people in our custody. Those in our custody are also in our care and, even when they behave in a way that shows disregard for their own safety, we will always do our best, through policy and practice, to ensure their safety.
- Anyone contemplating this kind of action ought to reconsider. The legal consequences are significant, but the risks to health and life are greater.