CALGARY — Calgary’s police chief is defending the actions of two officers who shot a suspected car thief during a traffic stop.
Chief Rick Hanson says the officers were on routine patrol about 3 a.m. Monday morning when they spotted a car being driven erratically.
When they tried to pull the driver over, he hit the gas and struck one of the constables, so the officers opened fire, wounding the suspect.
He was able to flee the scene but the officers eventually caught up to him and found him hiding under a canoe in a nearby yard.
Hanson said given the dangerous circumstances, the officers were in their right to shoot the suspect to protect themselves and community.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting.
The 21-year-old man, who is known to police, was taken to hospital with injuries to his face and hand and is in police custody.
“We have a criminal, one known to police who chose to use deadly force aimed at seriously hurting our police officer,” said Hanson.
“I’m totally satisfied the officers were put in a position where to protect themselves they had to act.”
It’s not known whether the driver was impaired at the time, but Hanson said he believes the driver had intentions to hit the officers, who also had to be taken to hospital for their minor injuries.
“Our officers parked far enough ahead ... and approached the offending vehicle in a way that maximized their safety given the circumstances,” he said, adding the suspect was responsible for his own actions and what followed as a result.
“It’s clear in my mind the intention was there to strike the officer.”
Calgary police association president John Dooks said the officers are shaken by the ordeal but believes they will be vindicated.
“An officer-involved shooting is probably one of the most traumatic and difficult things for an officer to experience,” Dooks said.
“These officers are the victims — they were forced to use their firearms to defend themselves.”
The officers are now on 30-day administrative leave.