An ordinary day on the job could have turned out deadly for a Cobourg Police officer on Sunday.
A female police officer was exposed to a Fentanyl while arresting a person wanted by Cobourg Police.
Truth is, there is no “ordinary” day for police on the streets.
Whether it’s the bustling city of Toronto or the “quiet” streets of Cobourg. Anything can happen at any time.
Every citizen who was around on May 15, 2004 knows that when Cobourg Police Constable Chris Garrett was murdered.
That seemed like the end of a quiet peaceful town – at least how I remembered it.
No more leaving doors unlocked.
Since then, it’s not only violence on the streets that takes innocent lives – it’s opiates.
Luckily, thankfully and by the grace of God the officer’s partner was there to administer Narcan when she was exposed to Fentanyl.
For those that don’t know what Fentanyl is, it’s a very potent opioid pain reliever. A few grams can kill a person.
And it nearly came to that while Cobourg Police were on patrol in Victoria Park around 7:45 p.m. and observed a person wanted on a bench warrant.
The press release by Cobourg Police states, “during the arrest one officer began exhibiting symptoms consistent with opioid exposure.”
A second officer who was on scene immediately administered naloxone which is a medication used to reverse or reduce the effects of opioids including Fentanyl.
Northumberland County Paramedics and Cobourg Fire Department were dispatched to the scene and the officer was rushed to hospital.
She was listed in fair condition, but since has been released and is resting at home.
The officer has been with the service since 2019 and going through the ranks starting as Special
Constable then fulfilling her dream moving up to a Constable in 2023 with the Cobourg Police Service with a strong work ethic.
With Cobourg Police extremely busy that night dealing with the injured officer and the suspect who was also taken to the hospital, Port Hope Police stepped up patrolling Cobourg and dealing with any calls.
This hasn’t been the only case where an officer was rushed to hospital with the effects of Fentanyl.
On October 4, 2024 a Port Hope Police officer was taken to hospital after being overcome by the effects of Fentanyl.
Police were dealing with a suspect that was spotted attempting to steal parts off of a vehicle on Cavan Street.
Officers discovered he was in possession of stolen property and Fentanyl.
During the investigation one officer was overcome and was given Narcan/nalaoxone.
The officer recovered from the incident after being taken to Northumberland Hills Hospital.
It used to be weapons that worried cops.
They wear bullet resistant vests, gloves, but there is only so much they can do to protect themselves from something that is nearly invisible.
Fentanyl can be injected, snorted/sniffed, smoked, taken orally by pill or tablet, and spiked onto blotter paper.
There are even Fentanyl patches that can be absorbed.
It makes it nearly impossible to be completely safe around such a deadly opioid.
More than 50,000 Canadians died from Fentanyl overdoses from 2016 to 2024.
Many things went right on Sunday evening. It could have been a tragedy, but for the quick thinking police officer that administered naloxone and backed up by Northumberland County Paramedics and members of the Cobourg Fire Department.
But there are also many questions that remain and need to be answered.
How did it actually happen that the officer came in contact with the opioid?
It’s something the public will likely never know, given the little to no information Cobourg Police release these days.
Are our parks safe? Given the circumstances of what happened Sunday in, or near Victoria Park, the answer is obvious.
Some people have said Victoria Park hasn’t been safe for years, for others, it’s an isolated incident, or, maybe this is the tipping point.
The next question – what can be done to make it safe?
Stronger laws are something the entire country is demanding. Hopefully sooner that later those that make the decisions will act appropriately.
One gaff that took place on Sunday seems to be dispatch.
It’s not clearly known where things went awry.
Cobourg Police stated in their release, the incident began at 7:45 p.m.
But when the officer suffered the effects of Fentanyl, Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services were the first fire department dispatched by Peterborough Fire Department who dispatches for Northumberland County Fire Departments.
Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services were dispatched at 8:11 p.m.
At 8:16 p.m. Cobourg Fire Department were dispatched to Victoria Park which was a delay of five precious minutes and Port Hope was told to “stand down.”
Peterborough Fire Communications dispatch stated to responding Cobourg Fire Department units, “this came in from OPP as an officer down that was exposed to Fentanyl. She was administered one dose of Narcan. She is conscious, shallow breathing, limbs are going numb.”
Radio communications for the Cobourg Police (and Port Hope Police) are provided by Owen Sound Police.
Since it was a medical call, and not a fire, it’s likely that Owen Sound Police called Central Ambulance Communications Centre (CACC) in Lindsay, which dispatches for Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Peterborough and Northumberland Counties.
Because of the high priority call, Cobourg Fire Department should have been the ones dispatched, but how and why was Port Hope initially dispatched wasting precious life saving minutes.
Today’s Northumberland has reached out to Northumberland County and is awaiting if any information can be released to the public.
We will provide an update as soon as we receive one.
Next on the list of issues – Cobourg Police is all over the map when it comes to releasing names.
Most people support releasing names of people that have been charged with criminal offences, but there is some opposition.
Either way, there should be a protocol for releasing names.
There seems to be none.
Previously there have been names released for theft of shopping carts, but other times, people charged with more serious crimes go unnamed.
Regarding this incident, Desiree Irwin, 33, of Cobourg, was arrested on the strength of a bench warrant for causing disturbance, failing to comply with probation, failing to attend court, failing to attend prints, and was further charged with possession of a schedule 1 substance (fentanyl)” and held for bail.
All in all, frustrating.
Going by tradition of Cobourg Police, this doesn’t appear to meet the criteria of naming.
So why was the suspects name released?
Was it because it involved a Cobourg Police officer?
First, foremost and it will be forever said, we are beyond grateful the officer is recovering. But if it was a member of the public who was involved – would the name be released at that point?
The Police Services Board needs to start asking question the citizens of Cobourg are asking.
What is the protocol for releasing names?
The Board doesn’t control operations within the department, but if they can’t, or won’t ask questions concerning citizens of the town – why is there even a Board?
The Cobourg Police Association has yet to state any comment on one of their officers that were rushed to hospital.
Today’s Northumberland has reached out to them. As yet, no comment.
You’d wonder why they haven’t commented given the seriousness of what happened.
As the saying goes – the silence is deafening.
Lastly, this happened in Victoria Park. A place were a number of unhoused people congregate during the day and evening hours.
Like any group of people you can’t and shouldn’t blame everyone for a few that cause issues.
But, saying that – there have been a number of issues in Victoria Park and surrounding area.
Sunday’s incident show’s what can happen and how easily a tragedy can happen. It was only by the skill and professionalism of all involved that it wasn’t worse.
Thankfuly the officer had a partner who called for help and administered naloxone.
But – what would have happened if there wasn’t another police officer on scene.
Municipal by-law officers regularly patrol the park in the day and night monitoring who is in the park.
The only difference is – they do it alone, and who would be around to assist them if something similar happened?
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
