Armstrong staff will be trained in how to deal with aggressiveness

Photo: Contributed

Hostile encounters has prompted Armstrong city officials to provide training for staff on how to deal with such situations.

Mayor Chris Pieper said hostility from the public is not rampant, but it does happen enough to warrant special training for employees.

“It's not a big problem. We've had a couple people that have been aggressive and there was an opportunity through the Municipal Insurance Association to get some training and they would provide a grant for it,” said Pieper.

Pieper said no one on council has received death threats like has happened in Vernon, but the course will show staff how to best deal with an aggressive person.

“People just seem to be a little more aggressive, but it is a very, very small percentage, but you just never know,” said Pieper. “It's like a safety program: you hope you will never have to use it.”

City of Vernon staff have taken a similar course, and there is a message on the city's phone line stating aggressive and violent behaviour toward staff will not be tolerated.