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Coquitlam RCMP officer struck with hammer during arrest

Police discharged a Taser while making an early-morning arrest in the 1100-block of Inlet Street near Coquitlam’s Glen Park
A Coquitlam RCMP officer was struck with a hammer during the course of an arrest early Wednesday morning. Police discharged a Taser on the 31-year-old suspect during the course of the incident.

A Coquitlam RCMP officer was taken to hospital with minor injuries after being struck with a hammer during an arrest early Wednesday morning.

The incident occurred in the 1100-block of Inlet Street shortly after midnight when police were looking for the registered owner of a vehicle that neighbours said had driven through a yard and hit several parked cars. A Taser was discharged during the arrest but the man was still able to throw a hammer, injuring one of the officers. 

“When police announced themselves at the home, a 31-year-old Coquitlam man came out holding blunt objects,” police said in a press release. “The man immediately challenged police, and a Conducted Energy Weapons (CEW) was used but it was only partially effective. In the ensuing altercation, the man allegedly threw the hammer and struck the police officer.” 

Mounties said the injured officer who was taken to hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. 

Police have spoken with witnesses in the area but are still looking for two people who drove by and may have taken cellphone video of the incident. 

Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Michael McLaughlin said it is OK to record police while they are conducting an arrest, as long as it is shot from a safe distance. He added that investigators are looking for the footage so it “can be part of a complete and impartial investigation.”

“When you take video, you’re still the owner and you can do what you wish with the copies,” McLaughlin said. “But it’s important that we get the original, unaltered video. Collecting the best evidence is always our priority, but it’s extra-important right now because police are being questioned more than ever about our use of force.”

Anyone with any information or has evidence that shows what led up to Wednesday’s arrest is asked to call the Coquitlam RCMP non-emergency number at 604-945-1550. The file number is 2020-17740.