VPD chief Jim Chu thanks supporters for their outpouring of gratitude after social media led hundreds of people to sticky-noting words of thanks on a VPD cruiser in downtown Vancouver on Friday, June 17, 2011.
Photograph by: Jenelle Schneider, PNG
VANCOUVER — Vancouver Police officers trying to control rioters during the post-Stanley Cup melee were spit on, struck with a bike and pieces of metal and injured by a blast from a gas bomb.
An account of the difficult night from the perspective of a senior Vancouver Police officer was released by his department Friday, though the acting sergeant’s name was removed.
He described conducting a briefing for his team at 3 p.m., after which they began to patrol outside the Vancouver Public Library.
Even before the crowd turned ugly, people were getting injured and panicking because of the overwhelming numbers at the event.
“The crush was being caused by the sheer number of people in that area. In fact, the squad was being crushed as well. It was impossible to move through the crowd,” the officer said.
“Numerous people were in distress, medical and otherwise, due to the crush of the crowd. There was serious panic and anxiety in the crowd as people were trying to escape it as others were still trying to push in from the back.”
Police pulled people off lamp standards, porta-potties and awnings. They helped an elderly couple trapped inside the library escape and get back to their hotel.
Just before 7 p.m., the officer decided to close the gates at the site so no one else could enter.
A fight broke out on the plaza and police moved in to arrest suspects and a medic helped a man who had been knocked out.
They called for an ambulance that couldn’t reach them so police used a backboard stretcher to get the victim inside the Library Square building.
“While dealing with this, another male was hit on the head with a bottle, which apparently was dropped from several stories above. He was given first aid by building security,” the officer said.
People in the crowd started throwing things at police. One young man was arrested after hurling a bottle at an officer’s shield.
The officer said his squad moved north and was “able to gear up with helmets sticks and shields.”
He described an encounter with a man, captured on television footage, who was wearing a Greek national soccer jersey.
“This party was constantly attacking members — grabbing shields, challenging members, throwing his hands in their faces,” he said. “He was very persistent, refusing to leave the area after numerous warnings. … This male was intent on fighting with the police. He was never identified.”
The officer praised his team’s efforts that night.
“Every member of this squad conducted themselves throughout the night and extremely challenging times with the highest level of professionalism and courage. I, as their squad leader, am very proud of them all.”
Vancouver Sun
kbolan@Vancouversun.com
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