Woman charged for threatening RCMP officers in Portage la Prairie

Mounties in Portage la Prairie say two officers were threatened while making an arrest late last week.

On Sept. 14, police say officers responded to a report of a dispute along 18th Street Northwest in Portage la Prairie. When they arrived, a woman had fled the scene.

The RCMP says it learned the woman was in breach of court-ordered conditions and officers chased her on foot, before making the arrest.

While in the back of the RCMP vehicle, the woman reportedly became aggressive. She reportedly threatened to spit on the officers and said she had a communicable disease. Following the threat, she began to spit at the officers.

“Our officers face dangerous situations every day while doing their job,” said Insp. Paul Peddle, Officer in Charge of Portage la Prairie RCMP. “One might not immediately think of spitting as a danger faced by officers, but it is, as they often have to come into very close contact with suspects and the health of officers can be very much at risk.

“In this case, the suspect clearly stated she had a communicable disease and proceeded to spit at the officers. The charge associated with her actions reflects that we take this type of threat to officer safety very seriously.”

The woman has since been charged with uttering threats to cause bodily harm and failure to comply.