What would happen if there was ever a hostage situation at the Sault Ste. Marie Court House?
That was the scenario last evening as Sault Ste. Marie Police Services conducted a training exercise as officers from the Emergency Services Unit (ESU) and Patrol Services were put to the test.
The scene involved an armed assailant, a number of hostages inside the Court House and a wounded officer on the front lawn.
The scenario was unscripted and responding officers were unaware of the situation prior to the start of the exercise, Staff Sergeant Jane Martynuck told members of the media as events unfolded.
Had this been an actual high-risk situation, a large portion of the downtown area would have been closed off, and homes and businesses in the area evacuated, she said.
ESU officers utilized the Ballistic Armoured Tactical Transport (BATT) to safely remove the wounded officer, smoke canisters were deployed to provide cover as members of the tactical unit entered the Court House, and the mobile command unit was on scene as hostage negotiators attempted to diffuse the situation.