Sask. RCMP officer, suspect injured in shooting incident near Turtleford

The commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP says his heart sank when he heard an RCMP officer was shot during a traffic stop on Tuesday.

The police officer was injured at around 10:30 a.m. CST when he and another officer, travelling in separate RCMP vehicles, attempted to stop an alleged impaired and dangerous driver near Turtleford, Sask.

As they approached the car near the Village ofMervin on Highway 794, one of the officers was shot, sustaining a serious but non-life-threatening injury, police said. RCMP officers then discharged their weapons, which resulted in a man, and the only passenger in the vehicle, sustaining injuries.

Both the officer and suspect were taken to hospital, police said, with the suspect taken to hospital in Saskatoon.

Mark Fisher, assistant commissioner and commanding officer with the Saskatchewan RCMP, said the injured RCMP officer was released from hospital in Turtleford on Tuesday evening, but didn't have any further information.

He said anytime a member of law enforcement officer is hurt on the job, it ripples through the law enforcement family here in Saskatchewan and abroad.

"Your heart sinks," said Fisher when asked about his initial reactions after learning one of his officers was shot.

"You're worried for them. You're worried for their families," he said.

Fisher said alongside ensuring responding officers are safe, the scene is secure and there are resources in place to conduct a proper investigation and ensurefamily is notified of what happened. The officer will be is always "front of mind."

He said while it's been "some time" since a Saskatchewan RCMP officer was shot on the job, it's always hard when an officer is hurt.

"These incidents have a significant impact, I would say, on the law-enforcement family as a whole," he said. Adding later: "It really takes you back to the risks that come with this job, regardless of what badge you wear, your uniform or where you're working in the province or the country for that matter."

The Regina Police Service has now been called upon to conduct an investigation into the shooting. Fisher has also asked Saskatchewan's Ministry of Justice to appoint an independent observer to ensure the quality of the investigation.

"We recognize there are many outstanding questions. Remember that this is the purpose of the investigation, which has only just begun," he said. "It would be inappropriate to speculate or attempt to provide details that have not yet been determined through investigation."

Fisher said the Regina Police Service investigation will determineif charges will be laid moving forward.