Police debut armoured vehicle at domestic standoff

Calgary police unveiled a new armoured vehicle Friday during a standoff in the city's southeast that ended with the arrest of a 32-year-old man.

It began when a woman phoned police on Friday morning to report that her common-law partner had threatened her with a knife, police Insp. Paul Stacey said.

The woman fled the scene, and the tactical unit was called in. Officers arrived in the Balkan Mk7, a $250,000 armoured vehicle, which allowed them to get close and surround the home with more protection.

"The tactical support members were going to head out to our training facility to do some test on it, so they drove it here, because the TAC team members happened to be in it and we needed them," said Stacey.

He said the man, reported to have been armed with knives, refused to come out of the house in the 4600 block of Hubalta Road SE.

About two hours later, the man tried to escape through a back door but was bitten by a police dog. He then tried to run back inside, but was shot by officers with plastic bullets, said Stacey.

The man was treated for dog bites and bruising after being taken into custody.  

It marked the first time that the Calgary police used the Balkan Mk7, which isn't supposed to be on official duty until next week.

The 6,350-kilogram vehicle has bullet-proof windows and can carry up to eight officers.