True and Fascinating Canadian History
Vet of the Month: October 2014
Reg.#11298, Constable Gordon Frederick Counsell
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON
In Canadian schools, the traditional stand-up lecture method is giving way to modern technology and this innovative trend affects the way that learners absorb knowledge and skills no matter their age, purpose or profession.
In particular, skills instruction for those in the professions is undergoing aggressive transformation. A blend of classroom theory aided by sophisticated computer software is having its desired effect; classroom learning holds an exciting air in contrast to the lecture method of yesteryear. New technologies are presently embedded into most learning styles whether the topic is sports, law, medicine or policing.
In baseball camp, the batter's performance can be clinically measured by video and improvements to the batter's stance, speed and swing can be made. In legal training, video feedback is a critical part of moot court for law students. In the moot court environment, students practice oral arguments under simulated conditions and under the critical eye of professors. Compulsory simulation exercises have been a vital part of airline pilot’s training for many years. Med students destined for advanced surgery training can practice their skills in a simulation centre – the University of Ottawa presently hosts one of the largest simulation centre to practice new surgical techniques in North America.
In the RCMP, Basic Recruit Training for police officers has also come under critical review by experts; educators, community leaders, sociologists, politicians, lawyers and seasoned police officers. All of these professionals, without question can offer a wealth of experience and insight into real life dangerous situations that the police officer might meet on the street.
One recommendation which was adopted, in particular, was for scenario based training -- so, actual cases and situations from the field are now re-enacted at ‘Depot’. Briefly, cadets meet an unfamiliar situation, analyse the problem, design a course of action then evaluate the final outcomes. The cadets are evaluated phase by phase under the eye of an experienced instructional team. The cadet's every movement is captured by videos strategically placed at the scene where the investigation had taken place.
The following story was an actual case and it might well represent a real life situation faced by a police officer today. It is not fair nor is it intended here that the outcome of the case be evaluated for it happened many, many years ago. The situation occurred at a time when pedagogy was not as sharply defined as it is today – education levels, equipment, safety devices and training for police officers have vastly improved over the years.
Instead, the case is presented so that police officers can think about his or her behaviour at the scene and whatever legal authorities, if any, might be required for their intended action. The case unfolded this way.
In 1940, the RCMP at Lethbridge, AB was told that a man had apparently shot his son then fled to a nearby town. Reg.#11298, Cst. Gordon Frederick Counsell went to the man’s address accompanied by Reg.#11331, Cpl. William H. Wilson. When the two members arrived at the man’s address, the suspect opened fire on them from inside the house.
Corporal Wilson called the Detachment for backup and Reg.#8054, Staff Sergeant George Harvey arrived. Eventually, the RCMP team fired tear gas into the house and then they waited for the suspect to exit. However, after a long wait and with no visible sign of the suspect, the RCMP carefully entered the house.
After some minutes, Constable Counsell decided to cautiously climb the stairway to the attic. Suddenly, the suspect appeared from around the corner with a gun. The suspect shot and killed Cst. Counsell then he hid inside the house again. Soon afterwards, the suspect was seen through a window by Cpl. Wilson who, in turn, promptly shot at him. At the time, no one knew if the suspect had been hit by Corporal Wilson as the suspect hid again from the RCMP’s view. Not long afterwards, another shot was heard from inside the house. The RCMP cautiously entered the house again, and they found that the suspect had shot himself and died.
Later, the RCMP also discovered that the man had been wounded in the chest by a previous shot – probably from Corporal Wilson’s gun. It was subsequently learned also that the suspect had served an earlier prison term in Minnesota, USA for the murder of his mother.
In view of all the investment in good police training, advanced house entry techniques and good equipment, there can be no doubt that the situation faced by Constable Counsell would have been handled differently today. At the time, however, the members acted faithfully with the police training which they had been offered.
Today, the cadet receives far better training than has ever been offered at ‘Depot’. At the same time, however, the cadet must also realize that scenario based exercises are not the full answer to his or her personal safety.
First of all, if the cadet’s eagerness to respond to a dangerous situation overtakes common sense or that which they have been taught, the situation may be made worse or they may endanger their own life. Secondly, cadets must act within the law, but there is always the risk that the responder may be tempted to act outside the boundaries of the law, such as the use of too much force.
The cadet’s individual background also has a direct bearing on the final outcome of a situation; his or her past experiences, education, and the cadet’s perception skills will influence the actions at the scene. Today, as well, specialized teams of police officers; Emergency Response, Police Service Dogs, Explosive Disposal Teams are available to respond to weapons calls.
Depending on whether or not there are hostages, it might be wise for the police officer to contain the situation and leave the direct entry and the arrest up to those who have the necessary equipment and the specialized training.
Cst. Counsell was listed as Honour Roll#65.
Reporting from Fort Healy,
October 23, 2014
