3 Lethbridge males charged with Obstruction and Assaulting a Peace Officer during wildfire emergency

As previously reported by the City of Lethbridge, a total of 37 police officers were involved in emergency response efforts and assisted with a number of tasks including barricading roads, traffic control and evacuating areas of the city and county. Overall, the public was very cooperative however there was one incident that resulted in three males being charged with assaulting a peace officer and obstruction.

On Sept. 10, 2012 at approximately 5:40 p.m. officers blocking Range Road 224 and Township Road 91 were confronted by a group of four males who had previously and repeatedly been directed to leave the area due to the extreme danger of the fire. The males were further warned but refused to leave and were subsequently placed under arrest for obstruction. One of the males was cooperative, but the other three resisted arrest and a physical altercation with police ensued. One of the officers was struck in the back of the head with a broomstick and another officer was kicked in the face. The injuries to police were non-life-threatening.

Fred George Oliver Watmough, 65, of Lethbridge, is charged with two counts of assaulting a peace officer and one count each of assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, resisting arrest and obstructing a peace officer. He is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 25.

Kevin Fred Watmough, 30, of Lethbridge, is charged with obstructing a peace officer and resisting arrest. He is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 16.

Allan James Watmough, 28, of Lethbridge, is charged with obstructing a peace officer and resisting arrest. He is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 16.

The fourth male was released without charges.

Police remind residents that in an emergency situation – such as the grassfire – the Police Service’s priority is the preservation of life and public order. When a state of emergency has been declared, police have the authority under the Alberta Emergency Management Act to remove persons, livestock and personal property from any area that is or may be affected by the disaster.