Const. Derek Scaplin (right) received the Chief's Commendation after responding to a call of an unresponsive man in November of 2018. (Submitted/Duane Squires)
The life-saving actions of a Saint John police officer have been recognized by the city’s police chief.
Const. Derek Scaplen received the Chief’s Commendation during a ceremony earlier this week.
It stems from a call last November where Scaplen responded to a report of an unresponsive man.
Police Chief Bruce Connell says Scaplen arrived within 30 seconds and noted the man was in full cardiac arrest.
“The male’s wife had started CPR, so Const. Scaplen took over CPR and was able to revive the male,” said Connell.
Man Fully Recovered
Once the paramedics arrived, Scaplen kept doing chest compressions on the man, who went on to fully recover.
Connell noted the survival rate for a medical condition like this is about five per cent.
“Those folks made it through and they truly had a Christmas to remember,” he said.
The man’s wife, who had recently become a licensed practical nurse, was also recognized with a letter of commendation.
Connell commended Scaplen for being able to stay calm and allow his training to kick in.
“People see us as law enforcement, but most of the things we do in fact aren’t law enforcement,” he said. “These are the type of events our members attend to on a regular basis.”
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