Fans turn on officers
Bombers to review stadium policies after punches, beer thrown at police
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/11/2009 (5803 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers plan to review stadium policy after a Winnipeg police officer was assaulted and several others had beer thrown on them as they removed a drunken fan during Sunday’s game.
Blue Bombers president Lyle Bauer said Section S, where the incident occurred, is known for its wild behaviour by fans but added Sunday’s incident was considered extreme even by those standards.
"I do believe it was isolated but you still have to take it very seriously in reviewing operations overall," Bauer said. "We had a fairly low number of incidents (Sunday), certainly nothing uncommon."
Winnipeg police said one of its officers was punched repeatedly in the back of the head while he was escorting a drunken fan.
Const. Jacqueline Chaput said as the first officer was attempting to remove the drunk, a fan seated beside him intervened, requiring another officer to get involved.
Chaput said as the two police officers were removing the drunken fan, a third fan repeatedly punched one officer in the back of the head. During the scuffle, the drunken fan, a large 52-year-old man, tried to free himself from the officer’s grasp and that resulted in him and one of the officers falling down a half-dozen stairs.
Other officers joined the group, Chaput said, taking control of the drunk and placing the fan who assaulted the officer into arrest. Chaput said at this point, several unidentified fans threw beer at the officers.
Chaput said the officer was likely bruised because of the fall and the punches but added he did not require medical attention.
Police have charged William Cody McGimpsey, 24, with assaulting a police officer. He’s being held in custody at the remand centre.
The 52-year-old man was detained under the Intoxicated Persons Detention Act but was not charged with any offences.
"Section S is certainly noted for being a little exuberant at times," Bauer said. "There is certainly increased security in that level. We have increased our security measurably over the years in consultation with the Winnipeg Police Service and MLCC (Manitoba Liquor Control Commission) and we’ll continue to review those levels and increase where deemed appropriate and recommended."
Bauer said the stadium has reduced concession times when beer is sold in Section S and increased security in that area in a bid to rein in that area.
"Everything will be reviewed as far as operations are concerned as a result of this incident," Bauer said.
aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca