Winnipeg police training needs update after fatal shooting of 16-year-old: expert

Global News·May 2

Winnipeg police training needs update after fatal shooting of 16-year-old: expert

A policing expert recommended Friday that Winnipeg police factor in age and someone’s cultural background when responding to high-risk situations. Peter Rampat, a former Toronto officer and an instructor at the Ontario Police College, testified at an ongoing fatality inquest into the police-shooting death of a 16-year-old First Nations girl.Rampat said the Winnipeg Police Service’s use-of-force policy doesn’t take into account recently developed de-escalation tactics, scenario-based training, alternative options as well as someone’s age, ethnicity or ability to carry out a threat.Eishia Hudson was shot in April 2020, after officers responded to reports of a liquor store robbery and chased a stolen Jeep that Eishia was driving.The inquest has heard the vehicle rammed a police cruiser and hit other vehicles during the pursuit before an officer fired two shots. Story continues below advertisement “This is both a tragic situation, and a complicated and challenging situation for anybody involved,” said Rampat.“I try to bring balance to the conversation… I think it starts with training. That’s where it starts. Good solid training, rooted to best practice, national standards.”Const. Kyle Pradinuk previously testified that he shot at the Jeep’s driver because he believed fellow officers could have been hit by the moving vehicle.Rampat