October 30, 2024
Kamloops, BC – Below is a statement from NPF President and C.E.O Brian Sauvé following the recent sentencing of a man who rammed into the vehicle of a Member of the Kamloops RCMP while fleeing from police:
“The NPF is concerned at what we believe is an exceptionally lenient sentence for an individual who intentionally rammed his vehicle into our Member’s police cruiser, injuring the Member involved, and which could have ended in a far worse outcome. Far too many police officers have been killed in similar circumstances.
Ramming of police vehicles is becoming increasingly more common and includes incidents of deliberate use of a vehicle to severely injure or kill officers. Our Members deserve better protections. In the absence of legislative changes, court sentencing decisions carry significant weight in deterring similar crimes and establishing how these incidents should be treated.
In this case it appears the intentional ramming of a police vehicle causing injuries to our Member did not factor in the sentencing decision. It is a slap in the face to all Members who put their lives on the line every day but see outcomes like this that do nothing to mitigate the very real danger these Members face.”
About the National Police Federation
The National Police Federation (NPF) represents ~20,000 RCMP Members serving across Canada and internationally. We are the largest police union in Canada. The NPF is focused on improving public safety for all Canadians, including our Members by advocating for much-needed investment in the public safety continuum. This includes investments in police resourcing and modern equipment, as well as social programs including health, addiction, and housing supports to enhance safety and livability in the many communities we serve, large and small, across Canada.
Media contact:
Sarah Kavanagh
Communications and Media Relations Advisor
[email protected]
