On June 4, 2014, Justin Bourque, 24, strode through a quiet, unassuming trailer park in Moncton, New Brunswick. Dressed in camouflage and armed with a rifle and shotgun, Bourque seemed eager for attention. he is. As Burke continued his treacherous trek, a concerned local resident called the police.
Hours later, three Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers were killed and two others were seriously injured. Monckton suffered his first murder in four years and witnessed one of the deadliest killings in Canadian history.
The events of the day are harrowingly documented in the new investigative documentary Under Fire, along with a series of troubling questions about police safety, training and preparedness. An angry and mentally unbalanced man with a grudge against government institutions, Bourke’s horrific mission that day was aimed at killing as many police officers as possible. The RCMP, like the communities they serve, are appalled by the level of brutality they have encountered and are ill-prepared to combat it effectively.
Members of the RCMP play a central role in exposing the flaws in these departments. Some of them appear on film; their faces and voices are masked to protect their anonymity. “I know we’re not ready,” admitted one official. “You can’t bring a knife to a shootout.” Insufficient equipment was one of the factors that may have contributed to the increased carnage that day. The cops only carry pistols, which is a big hurdle to subdue a maniac with a semi-automatic rifle. The film also reveals the flaws in proper training techniques, the absence of which can put officers at a serious disadvantage in keeping them safe.
Under Fire is a vivid reminder of the unspeakable dangers law enforcement faces every day, and our responsibility to provide them with the tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. Fulfilling this responsibility may not completely eliminate future tragedies like those in Moncton, but it will ultimately save the lives of civilians and those we rely on to protect and serve.
