Brandon police officers equipped for fentanyl crisis

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This article was published 17/01/2018 (2931 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The fentanyl crisis across the country is driving local law enforcement into uncharted territory.

Sgt. Mike Melanson said Brandon Police Service officers have to adapt as the deadly synthetic opioid becomes more widespread.

“It’s almost like a whole different way of doing policing, you really gotta get in that mindset,” Melanson said.

Fentanyl is something you can’t see, taste or smell and the reality is, tiny amounts can be lethal.

“All of a sudden you could handle something and it could kill you,” Melanson said.

BPS reacted quickly when the opioid crisis erupted in Winnipeg in 2016. Brandon officers were equipped with the disposable N95 respirator masks, but it was soon determined that they needed something more reliable.

“We knew right away, even ourselves, by putting (N95 masks) on that we weren’t getting 100 per cent seal,” Melanson said. After some research and consultation, it was decided that half-mask respirators “were the best way to go.”

The half-masks cost $15-$30 each, are reusable and have attachable cartridges and filters. The masks are fit-tested to each BPS member, to ensure there’s no leakage. As of November 2017, all marked police cruisers and detective vehicles are equipped with a fentanyl safety kit, which includes half-mask respirators, safety glasses and rubber gloves. BPS has an estimated 80 masks available.

“Our front-line officers have to be protected. They’re the most at risk,” Melanson said. “That’s our detectives, people that work with the drug section and our patrols.”

More than 70 per cent of the officers use a medium size, so those masks are included in the safety kits. For those who need a small or large mask, they are issued individually.

Brandon police officers are also equipped with Narcan nasal spray, a form of naloxonefor the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose.

“We are being very cautious because we don’t want to see any harm come obviously to any citizens or our members,” said BPS Chief Wayne Balcaen.

BPS has access to full-mask respirators, which would be used in the event of a chemical spill.

Brandon has not seen the spike in fentanyl-related calls that Winnipeg has. At this point, it’s all about being prepared and proactive, Balcaen said.

“We have had some cases where there has been detection or belief that there’s some fentanyl that has been involved,” Balcaen said. “But we have seen a spike in different sort of drugs including crystal methamphetamine. We want to make sure the public and our officers are safe and secure from danger as best as possible.”

Melanson noted that any illicit drug could be laced with fentanyl, from cocaine and crystal meth — even marijuana.

“Any of these recreational drugs that the kids can get today, you’re taking the chance of it being laced with fentanyl,” he said.

Meanwhile, Winnipeg police have continued to use the disposable N95 masks. But earlier this week, an arbitrator ruled they didn’t offer enough protection.

“We have already seen several serious situations where members required emergency medical treatment for exposure to substances,” Winnipeg Police Association president Moe Sabourinsaid. “Our members encounter all sorts of different powders and substances during their duties, and given that very tiny amounts of these opiate substances — even two milligrams (an amount smaller than a grain of salt) — could be lethal, proper safety equipment is essential to protect Winnipeg police officers.

“Hopefully now we can get that equipment.”

While the N95 masks meet technical standards, effective use involves slow movements in calm settings, something that does not describe real-world police work, he said.

» jaustin@brandonsun.com, with files from the Winnipeg Free Press

» Twitter: @jillianaustin