Skip to content

Delta Police swiftly end terrifying hostage taking on Scott Road

Female probation officer was locked inside an office at the Delta Probation Office, in 8200-block of Scott Road, but not physically injured.
46400surreynowdeltapolicesquadcar
A female probation officer was locked inside an office at the Delta Probation Office

NORTH DELTA — A 49-year-old woman accused of taking a probation officer hostage at knife point Thursday morning is facing multiple charges.

The female probation officer was locked inside an office at the Delta Probation Office, in 8200-block of Scott Road, but was not physically injured.

Police responding to 911 calls at about 11:30 a.m. evacuated the building and contacted the accused hostage-taker, whose name has not been released, through the locked door.

"Fearing for the safety of the victim, the officers were able to breach the door and distract the suspect, de-escalating the situation," Sergeant Sarah Swallow of the Delta Police said.

"Forming a human shield, the officers stood between the suspect and the hostage, who was able to be safely evacuated. The terrifying ordeal was resolved within minutes of the first 911 call."

Swallow said the suspect suffers from "severe" mental health issues "and has a violent mental health history spanning several years."

Swallow said the officers were able to subdue her without harming her or using a Taser or pepper-spray.

"This type of event highlights the unpredictable nature of police work," Swallow said. "Delta Police officers at all levels regularly train decision-making, hostage rescue techniques and de-escalation techniques," she said. "In this instance, officers were able to use their training to quickly and safely resolve a potentially deadly and difficult situation without injury to anyone involved."

tom.zytaruk@thenownewspaper.com



About the Author: Tom Zytaruk

I write unvarnished opinion columns and unbiased news reports for the Surrey Now-Leader.
Read more