Crown counsel has approved four charges against a Delta man in connection to an altercation with a Delta police officer Monday night at a Tsawwassen care home.
Charges of uttering threats, possession of a prohibited device for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, assault of a peace officer with a weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon have been laid against 59-year-old Clifford Adrian Montgomery.
Montgomery appeared in Surrey provincial court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance scheduled for Aug. 7.
Care home staff contacted police Monday night after Montgomery became agitated after learning of his mother’s imminent passing.
“Police attended the care home and while speaking to the male, he engaged police in a sudden and unprovoked knife attack, causing a laceration to the face of one police officer,” said Delta police public affairs coordinator Cris Leykauf.
“Officers backed away, and displayed both a pistol and a conducted energy weapon in an attempt to subdue the male.”
The injured officer continued attempts to communicate verbally with the man, resulting in a successful de-escalation with no use of force.
Police say a switchblade was used in the attack. Police did not say how the suspect had the knife in the first place.
The injured officer is expected to make a full recovery.
According to DPD, in the past year the department has trained all of its officers in verbal communication skills to de-escalate agitated and potentially violent subjects.
“Last night’s events were highly elevated and dangerous, but through appropriate de-escalation it was peacefully resolved,” said deputy Chief Norm Lipinski. “We recognize that it is our duty to keep all members of the public safe, regardless of their actions, and this training served us well in this incident.”
Police did not disclose the name of the care home.
