A significant police presence was evident at a local high school and the surrounding neighborhood in Prince George, B.C., as the RCMP conducted a live emergency response training scenario this week. The training involved numerous uniformed and plainclothes officers, police vehicles, and armored vehicles gathered at Duchess Park Secondary School on Thursday. The exercise utilized actors to create a simulated active threat situation to enhance realism and intensity for the participating police officers, according to Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, the media relations officer for Prince George RCMP.
Cooper mentioned that residents in the area could anticipate loud noises, shouting, and commotion during the dynamic simulated scenario. She clarified that the training exercise was not a direct response to the mass shooting incident at a school in Tumbler Ridge in February 2026 but was part of the ongoing training regimen for the RCMP. The selection of the school building for the exercise was due to the absence of students during the summer, providing an ideal setting for running various scenarios.
Insp. Chris Riddle, the Prince George RCMP operations officer, highlighted that the training brought together different specialized teams like the North District Emergency Response Team, Crisis Negotiation Team, and General Investigative Section to offer a real-life scenario experience for patrol and general duty members. The scenarios focused on situations involving a threat to individuals, aiming to equip officers with the skills to identify and neutralize threats promptly to protect the public.
Cooper shared her experience of participating in a similar live-action training exercise with the Abbotsford Police Department before becoming a police officer, emphasizing the valuable insight it provided into the challenges faced by law enforcement daily. Riddle expressed his intention to organize more live-action training events in the future to enhance the development of Prince George officers continuously. He emphasized the positive impact such training had on members, highlighting its rewarding nature and the valuable experience gained in handling intense situations.