A significant police presence occupied the local high school and nearby area in Prince George, B.C., as the RCMP conducted a live emergency response training scenario. The event at Duchess Park Secondary School on Thursday involved numerous uniformed and undercover officers, police vehicles, and armored vehicles to participate in a simulation of an active threat situation using actors. Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, the media relations officer for Prince George RCMP, mentioned that utilizing actors adds realism and intensity to the training for police officers.
Residents in the vicinity were advised to expect loud noises, shouting, and commotion as the scenario unfolded dynamically. Cooper clarified that the training was not prompted by the February 2026 school shooting in Tumbler Ridge but is part of the ongoing training regimen for the RCMP. The empty school building was selected for the exercise due to the absence of students during the summer, providing an ideal setting for running various scenarios.
Insp. Chris Riddle, the operations officer for Prince George RCMP, highlighted that the exercise complements the local training unit’s efforts by bringing together different specialized teams like the North District Emergency Response Team, Crisis Negotiation Team, and General Investigative Section. Riddle emphasized the importance of exposing patrol and general duty members to realistic scenarios that require quick decision-making under pressure.
The training scenarios revolve around situations involving harm to individuals, aiming to equip members with the skills to identify and neutralize threats effectively. Cooper shared her experience of participating as an actor in similar training exercises before joining the police force, expressing how it provided insight into the challenges officers face daily. Riddle expressed his intention to organize more live-action training events for Prince George officers to enhance their skills continually.
Participating in such training was described as a valuable and rewarding experience by Riddle, emphasizing the benefits of being involved in realistic situations to improve members’ readiness and capabilities.