A significant police presence was seen at a local high school and its surrounding area in Prince George, B.C., this week as RCMP conducted a live emergency response training exercise. The event at Duchess Park Secondary School on Thursday involved numerous uniformed and undercover officers, police vehicles, and armored vehicles, utilizing actors to simulate an active threat scenario. Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, the media relations officer for Prince George RCMP, highlighted that the use of actors enhanced the realism and intensity of the training for the officers.
The training exercise aimed to simulate a dynamic scenario with loud noises, yelling, and screaming, providing a realistic experience for participants. Cooper clarified that the exercise was part of the ongoing training for the RCMP and was not specifically triggered by the recent mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge in February 2026, though recent events were on everyone’s minds.
Duchess Park Secondary School was chosen for the exercise due to the absence of students during the summer, offering an ideal setting for running various scenarios. Insp. Chris Riddle, the Prince George RCMP operations officer, emphasized that the exercise brought together different units, including the North District Emergency Response Team, Crisis Negotiation Team, and General Investigative Section, to provide a hands-on experience for patrol and general duty members.
The training scenarios focused on situations involving individuals causing harm to others, aiming to equip the officers with the skills to identify and neutralize threats effectively. Cooper shared her past experience as an actor in a live-action training exercise with the Abbotsford Police Department, stressing the value of gaining insight into the challenges faced by police officers.
Riddle expressed his desire to organize more live-action training events for Prince George officers in the future, emphasizing the importance of continuous training and development opportunities. The involvement in such exercises was deemed rewarding for the members, offering valuable experiences to enhance their capabilities in handling real-life situations effectively.