Cobourg Police Service Confirms Officer Recovering After Fentanyl Exposure; Local Woman Arrested
- Small Town Productions
- Sep 22
- 2 min read
(Cobourg, ON)
The Cobourg Police Service has confirmed an officer is recovering after being exposed to fentanyl during a warrant arrest on the evening of September 21.
The officer was taken to Northumberland Hills Hospital, treated, and has since been released, they are expected to make a full recovery.
The arrest occurred around 7:45 p.m. when officers identified a woman wanted on a bench warrant. The accused, 33-year-old Desiree Irwin of Cobourg, was taken into custody. During the arrest, one officer began to show signs of opioid exposure. A fellow officer acted quickly, administering naloxone, which helped stabilize the situation until paramedics arrived.
Irwin faces several charges, including:
Causing a disturbance
Failing to comply with probation
Failing to attend court
Failing to attend for fingerprints
Possession of a Schedule 1 substance (fentanyl)
She was held in custody for a bail hearing.
Chief of Police Paul VandeGraaf issued a statement emphasizing the dangers officers face, the importance of accountability for drug-related offences, and gratitude for the quick response that ensured the officer’s safety.
“This incident is a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers our officers face daily. Thanks to the quick actions of our team, a potentially life-threatening situation was averted. We are grateful for the emergency service partners and the Northumberland Hills Hospital staff,” said Chief VandeGraaf.
He reaffirmed the service’s commitment to disrupting the flow of illicit substances in the community and called on the justice system to hold offenders accountable through stricter bail hearings and strong conditions.
The incident underscores both the risks posed by fentanyl and the dedication of frontline officers working to keep Cobourg safe.
A huge thank you goes out to all our first responders on the front lines.
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