Fort St. John RCMP arrest man under Mental Health Act

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John RCMP apprehended an adult man on Tuesday after a director’s warrant was issued.

A director’s warrant is a form under the Mental Health Act that allows a director or designate to recall an involuntary patient within 60 days if that patient leaves the hospital they were admitted to without permission.

Police attended the man’s residence on July 25th and said at first, he was cooperative, but his behaviour quickly escalated to being physically and verbally non-cooperative. RCMP said the man then began displaying violent and combative behaviour towards officers.

Madonna Saunderson, media relations officer for the RCMP, said when de-escalation attempts didn’t work, police used “different intervention options in an effort to gain control of the situation in keeping with the safety of everyone involved.”

Saunderson did not specify what intervention options were used but stated that the man was later taken to hospital and was assessed by doctors.

“Doctors say there appear to be no obvious physical injuries. He remains in hospital at this time for any treatment he may require and could face charges of assaulting a police officer,” Saunderson said.