A significant police presence was visible at a local high school and the surrounding area in Prince George, B.C., this week as the RCMP conducted a live emergency response training exercise. The event, held at Duchess Park Secondary School on Thursday, involved numerous uniformed and plainclothes officers, police vehicles, and armored vehicles. The training utilized actors to create a realistic simulation of an active threat situation, aiming to immerse officers in a high-intensity scenario.
Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, the media relations officer for Prince George RCMP, mentioned that the training exercise would involve loud noises, yelling, and screaming to enhance the dynamic nature of the simulation. She clarified that the exercise was part of the ongoing training for the RCMP and was not a direct response to the previous mass shooting incident in Tumbler Ridge in February 2026.
The choice of the school building for the exercise was due to it being vacant of students during the summer, providing an ideal setting for running various scenarios. Insp. Chris Riddle, the Prince George RCMP operations officer, highlighted that the exercise brought together different units, including the North District Emergency Response Team, Crisis Negotiation Team, and General Investigative Section, to provide practical training experiences for officers.
Riddle emphasized the importance of preparing officers to handle situations where harm is being inflicted, ensuring they can effectively address threats and protect the public. Cooper shared her past experience of participating in similar training as an actor before becoming a police officer, emphasizing the value of understanding the challenges faced by law enforcement personnel.
Looking ahead, Riddle expressed the intention to organize more live-action training events for Prince George officers to enhance their skills and readiness for real-life scenarios. He emphasized the positive impact of such exercises on officer development and the rewarding nature of participating in realistic training situations.