The decision to deploy a tactical officer, also known as a sniper, to an unauthorized St. Patrick’s Day street gathering in Waterloo, Ontario, last weekend is being supported by the regional police chief.
During a police service board meeting on Wednesday, Mark Crowell emphasized the meticulous planning involved in the deployment, stating that the tactical officer’s role was specifically aimed at averting potential mass casualty incidents.
Photos and videos of the sniper at the Saturday event sparked fear and surprise among attendees, with the police later confirming the deployment of a tactical officer as standard practice for major events.
Crowell highlighted the need for the police force to be informed by global incidents, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for worst-case scenarios based on past tragedies worldwide.
Regarding the deployment of the tactical officer, Ian McLean, chair of the WRPS police board, expressed his support, emphasizing the necessity of being equipped for various situations given the large number of attendees at such unauthorized events.
The Waterloo regional police clarified that the individual in the video, believed to be a sniper at the St. Patrick’s Day event, was actually a tactical officer routinely employed at various events, both planned and unplanned.
Concern over ‘level of risk’ at unsanctioned party
Crowell acknowledged that the management of this year’s unsanctioned St. Patrick’s Day event proceeded as intended, stressing the need to evaluate the overall impact on resources and public safety during such occasions.
He further mentioned plans to analyze the event’s outcomes, including crowd size and charges laid, to enhance future preparedness and collaboration with partners to address similar events more effectively.
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Sniper at St. Patrick’s Day street party in Waterloo, Ont., a tactical officer in emergency plan, say police
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