A man is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder and assault with a weapon, after a Peterborough police officer was stabbed during a confrontation on Sunday, according to the Peterborough Police Service.
According to Chief Scott Gilbert, an officer was investigating a theft at a store in East City when the incident happened. Police say the officer was searching the area, located a suspect, and confronted the suspect in relation to the criminal occurrence. As another officer arrived, police say the suspect allegedly became violent with the officer and a physical altercation began.
Chief Gilbert told Global Peterborough on Tuesday that the officer was then stabbed in the upper back with a knife. She was then taken to PRHC, where she was treated for a collapsed lung as a result of the injury, according to Chief Gilbert.
Gilbert says East City Bowl Park was closed on Sunday as officers investigated. On Tuesday afternoon, Gilbert said the officer was stable and was being monitored by the surgeon.
Later that evening, Chief Gilbert confirmed that the officer has been discharged from the hospital, but there’s still “a long road ahead for her recovery.”
Chief Gilbert says the stabbing of an officer is a fairly rare occurrence, although knives are becoming “more prevalent” in the community, according to him. Gilbert says there has been a significant increase in violent incidents against cops in Peterborough compared to last year.
In 2020 alone, police say there were 24 violent incidents against cops in the city, in comparison to the seven incidents that occurred in 2019.
“I find that very disturbing,” said Chief Gilbert on the increase. “A lot of it has to do with people starting to take liberties with our police officers because of what is happening in the States, and that can’t continue in our community.”
Cody Patterson, whose age and hometown were not provided, is in custody and facing charges of attempted murder, assault with a weapon, theft under $5,000, and breaching a weapon prohibition. Chief Gilbert says he will appear in court sometime later this week.