By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

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Red Deer women get probation and community service after assault of Innisfail RCMP member

Oct 9, 2024 | 2:15 PM

Two women from Red Deer who were accused of assaulting an Innisfail police officer in 2023 have been sentenced.

An RCMP media release at the time of the incident shared the following:

It was June 3, 2023 when an Innisfail RCMP member conducting patrols near the local hospital observed a black truck speed through a stop sign. A traffic stop determined the driver was allegedly impaired by alcohol.

According to RCMP, both the driver and passenger were intoxicated, belligerent and verbally aggressive with the officer, with the driver refusing to provide a breath sample.

When the member attempted to remove the driver from the vehicle, the passenger grabbed the driver to prevent their removal.

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Red Deer women get probation and community service after assault of Innisfail RCMP member

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When the driver was eventually removed, police said, the passenger exited and approached police in a fighting stance, then verbally threatened the member’s life. It was said the driver then physically assaulted the officer who was trying to get things under control.

Desiree Friesen, who was 24 at the time, was charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, assault police officer, resist arrest, and refuse breath demand.

Laura Phypers, who was 37, was charged with assault peace officer, obstruct peace officer, and uttering threats.

On Aug. 22, 2024, Friesen was convicted on one charge of resist peace officer. For this, Friesen was sentenced to probation and must perform 25 hours of community service, plus undergo anger management sessions.

On June 18, Phypers was convicted on one count of assault a person with intent to resist arrest or prevent lawful arrest. She was sentenced to 12 months probation and performing 40 hours of community service, plus she must undergo treatment for alcohol and substance abuse, as well as anger management.

Both must also keep the peace and be of good behaviour, as well as appear before the courts when required.

An Agreed Statement of Facts for Phypers’ case, obtained by rdnewsNOW, notes that as the officer approached the driver-side of the vehicle for a vehicle stop, he saw open liquor cans in the vehicle. The driver (Friesen) and passenger (Phypers) were being argumentative.

Phypers was placed under arrest for obstruction. When the officer removed Friesen from the vehicle to place handcuffs on her, Phypers exited and came at the officer with fists clenched.

The officer used Friesen to block himself from Phypers, then retreated next to the police car and was able to push both women to the ground.

Phypers then attempted to strike the officer with punches, and the officer then struck Phypers to stop the assault and cuff her.

Phypers later struck him on the left side, then the officer used other tactics to subdue both women and was able to take them into custody.

Phypers is a Red Deer-based defence lawyer.

In February 2024, Andrew Phypers, who is Laura’s brother and is also a lawyer, said in a statement to media that his sister suffered a concussion, broken nose, muscle damage and facial bruising in the incident.

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