Officer bit by suspect during arrest began showing signs of fentanyl exposure, Brantford Police say

The Brantford police station seen in this undated file photo. (Dan Lauckner / CTV Kitchener)

Brantford Police have released new details about the arrest of a woman who bit one of their officers on Dec. 3.

At around 2:10 p.m. that day, a concerned citizen called 911 to report a crash at Kiwanis Way and Glenwood Drive. They told the operator a woman with a gun had fled the scene.

During the subsequent search, two schools in the area were temporarily locked down.

The woman was found inside a fast-food restaurant at Stanley Street and Darling Street.

Police said she had a BB gun in her possession.

Additional details were released about her arrest on Monday.

“The suspect was observed ingesting a foreign substance, believed to be fentanyl,” the media release said. “The officer intervened, potentially saving the suspect’s life by attempting to remove the suspected drugs from the suspect’s mouth.”

Police said that’s when the woman bit the officer, raising new concerns.

“The officer began to exhibit signs of fentanyl exposure and was transported to hospital for treatment,” the release continued.

Police did not specify what the officer’s symptoms were.

According to Health Canada, signs of an opioid overdose include shallow or slowed breathing, decrease in consciousness and pinpoint pupils, but add that skin exposure to fentanyl “is extremely unlikely to immediately harm you.”

The woman was also taken to hospital.

The 39-year-old, who has not been named, was charged with assaulting a peace officer causing bodily harm, possession of a controlled substance, breach of probation, carrying a concealed firearm and two arrest warrant counts.