A Chatham-Kent police officer is being recognized for his actions and quick thinking, which helped to prevent a potentially tragic situation involving a man with a knife.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service said officers received multiple calls on September 11 about a suspicious person carrying a knife in Blenheim, who had been chasing a woman. The woman reportedly sought safety in a building behind a locked door before the suspect fled, broke into a nearby home and threatened the owner. The homeowner was also able to escape and call 911.
Constable Doug Littlewood responded to the scene and ordered the knife-wielding suspect to exit the home. However, when the man refused to surrender and attempted to re-enter the home, Constable Littlewood used a Taser to take him into custody safely without injury.
“The suspect in the matter was under the influence of both alcohol and drugs, displaying erratic and unpredictable behaviour,” said Acting Deputy Chief Mike Domony in a report. “Cst. Littlewood handled the stressful situation calmly and displayed the appropriate use of force to affect an arrest and end the dangerous situation.”
As a result, Constable Littlewood and Emergency Communication Operators Keeley Smith, McKenna Ladd, Brock Bechard, Victoria Labadie, and Camryn Dudley will all be presented with a Deputy Chief’s Letter of Recognition for helping to ensure the situation came to a successful end with no loss of life or injury. The letter will be presented during a Police Services Board meeting on Wednesday.