Victoria police chief says violence escalating against first responders

VICTORIA — The chief of the Victoria Police Department says firefighters and paramedics will no longer respond to calls in a specific neighbourhood without police backup after a paramedic was attacked by a man in medical distress, and officers who arrived to help were threatened by a large crowd.

Police chief Del Manak says the latest attack on Thursday was only “one piece of the trend” of increasing aggression toward emergency personnel.

Police say members of BC Emergency Health Services had been “flagged down” in the 900-block of Pandora Ave. about a man needing medical attention, and he allegedly hit and kicked a paramedic who was caring for him.

The department says police arrived and about 60 people surrounded emergency responders, noting the group “became increasingly hostile” and officers had to call for backup.

Manak says firefighters and paramedics will no longer attend calls in the 900-block of Pandora Ave. without a police escort, which he warns will increase officers’ workloads and slow down responses, but says the move is necessary to curb rising tensions.

Police say the injured paramedic was taken to hospital for treatment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 13, 2024.

The Canadian Press