'Chemical agents' deployed as police respond to assault in New Westminster
CTV
Police descended on a New Westminster neighbourhood early Tuesday morning following an assault officers say they witnessed.
Police descended on a New Westminster neighbourhood early Tuesday morning following an assault officers say they witnessed.
Members of the New Westminster Police Department were called to an address on Surrey Street, near Richmond Street, shortly before 2 a.m. Tuesday for reports of an assault.
The department said its members at the scene witnessed part of the assault. They say they saw a man assaulting a woman.
According to the NWPD, the man noticed police and ran into a nearby home, locking the doors after entering. The victim of the assault was tended to by police, while officers tried to get the man to surrender.
When the man refused to come outside, the Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team and Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Services were called to aid in the arrest.
The ERT is called in for more dangerous situations, as its members have been trained in specific tactics. They've been trained to respond to serious arrest warrants, hostage situations, penetrating blockades and engaging in close-quarter combat, according to the RCMP.
Police said "diversionary devices" and "less lethal chemical agents" were used in the arrest. Officers did not give further details, but these devices and agents can include flashbangs and tear gas.
