EDMONTON — In the wake of a fatal shooting in the heart of Ottawa, city police insist they’re prepared for any such threat in Edmonton.
“Active shooters, lone wolves: we’ve been prepared for that for years,” says Deputy Chief Danielle Campbell. “It’s part of our training.”
Officers participate regularly in anti-terror exercises, with the most recent last spring, she adds.
“The Edmonton Police Service has strong relations and remains in active, real-time communication with our law enforcement partners provincially, federally and internationally.”
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Police also work to build relationships to reduce the risks of a threat.
“By remaining in close contact with the community, any activity that might be deemed suspicious is typically brought to our attention through these communities because of the relationships that we’ve forged.”
Authorities have identified Michael Zehaf Bibeau as the lone gunman in the Ottawa shooting.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper described Zehaf-Bibeau’s actions as a terrorist attack that will only redouble Canada’s efforts to fight terrorism at home and abroad.
A source has said Zehaf Bibeau had been denied a passport “in the normal course of applying,” but was not under surveillance by security officials.
Meanwhile, Police say the man who deliberately drove a car into two soldiers, killing one, earlier this week in Quebec was linked to terrorist ideology and had been radicalized. Martin Rouleau, 25, was arrested by RCMP this summer as he was preparing to leave the country and had his passport seized. He was killed by police shortly after the hit-and-run.
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Campbell says radicalization is not based on race, culture or religion.
“It’s based on the individual’s vulnerability. If someone is vulnerable to become radicalized to commit violence, that can happen in any community.”
Edmonton police caution there is no reason to believe there is an imminent threat to public safety in Edmonton.
Residents are asked to contact police if they know of anyone who has exhibited a significant change in behaviour such as unusual internet activity or losing contact with friends and family for a period.