On Wednesday, the flag at the Burnaby RCMP Constable Shaelyn Yang’s detachment flew at half-mast.
In addition, a note bearing the words “Thank you for your service, your bravery, your devotion to your duty, Rest in Peace” was left in front of the neighbourhood police station.
Yang died from stab wounds on Tuesday while visiting a homeless camp in a local park.
Kevin Mead, manager of Kelowna Bylaw Services, declared, “Our hearts and minds are with the RCMP today. “We support them in our loss,” the speaker said.
Bylaw officers work closely with RCMP in many cases including at the outdoor sheltering site in the downtown’s north end.
“The work that we undertake on any given day, in particular the police, there is a willful acceptance of risk in what we do.
While bylaw enforcers and other front-line personnel encounter difficulties in dealing with members of all societal groups, working with a vulnerable population where mental health and addiction problems are more common might carry a higher risk.
Mead acknowledged that cops have encountered circumstances that may have quickly escalated or involved close calls.
He replied, “The short answer to that is yes.
“Have there been occasions where they’ve they’ve had to deploy tools or get more assertive, in order to ensure the safety of either ourselves or the community in which we’re operating, which includes the community at large as well, the answer to that is yes. ”
According to Mead, the police receive specific training so they are prepared to handle a range of demographics, including people who are homeless.
We’ve spent a lot of time developing our understanding of how to interact with populations, our trauma-informed practises, and the cultural sensitivity that goes along with all of that, according to Mead.
Mead claimed that when on duty, the cops also don certain protective gear.
Should something truly go wrong, Mead said, “Soft body armour.”
Additionally, we have some defensive instruments, such as traditional batons, OC (oleoresin capsicum) spray, and handcuffs, although these should only be utilised when officers are needed.
The tragedy that occurred in Burnaby has also affected the service providers that work directly with those who are in need and homeless.
Amber Webster-Kotak, executive director of Metro Community Services, called it “a complete catastrophe.”
“We just have to acknowledge the loss of life and somebody who was really just doing their job, and one for which I would suppose they were extremely well trained,”
For those who are homeless or staying in shelters, Metro Community Programs offers a variety of services and support.
And while Webster-Kotak acknowledges any worker on the front lines can incur some level of risk, it’s a desire to help people that drives most of them.
Generally speaking, we walk into it thinking about the person we’re serving first and whatever issue they’re having, according to Webster-Kotak. “I think any of us accept the work because we love it and we love the individuals that we want to help or deal with directly,” she said.
“Second, we have to take it seriously, as does any front-line worker, but it isn’t the thing that we lead with until that thing, whatever it may be, reveals itself, at which point we have to respond in real-time,” she continued.
Police in Kelowna did not speak to the media on Wednesday out of respect for the RCMP member’s family.
Members continued to reflect on the tragedy throughout this time as well.
Mead remarked, “The task is difficult and really unpleasant.
Everywhere you go, you see actual human misery, and it’s challenging because you sometimes feel helpless to affect change.
Const. Yang was working as part of the RCMP’s mental health and homeless outreach team to bring about that good change when she was killed.
The B. C. Prosecution Service announced Wednesday that a suspect, Jongwon Ham, has been charged with first degree murder in connection with Yang’s death..
Frontline workers in Okanagan mourn the loss of an RCMP officer but promise to continue vital work.
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