DAMAGE CONTROL: Calgary police release statement regarding viral disruption of Easter worship service

Calgary Police are speaking out after officers sparked outrage by entering the evangelical Street Church in Alberta on Saturday. Pastor Artur Pawlowski taped the incident, in which officers can be seen attempting to disrupt the service, though Pawlowski shouted them down until they left the premises.

Calgary Police released a statement "regarding CPS presence at Street Church."

It read that only one officer entered the church to "assist our partner agencies, Alberta Health Services and City of Calgary Bylaw services." The officers were present "in relation to a religious gathering being held at the Street Church."

Calgary Police stated that their concern was that those involved in the worship service were not "adhering to the government's COVID-19 public health orders," which they say "are in place to ensure everyone's safety."

Calgary Police said that their intentions in "attending public spaces, private homes, and businesses," is to enable "voluntary compliance with public health orders where that makes sense."

They state that "the majority of Calgarians are understanding and cooperative." Calgary Police go on to say that they are often asked to "attend these calls in an effort to help help keep the peace due to high levels of conflict between citizens and health inspectors."

The intimation is that, in the case of the Street Church worship services, there was both lack of "voluntary compliance" and an incident of "high levels of conflict between citizens," in this case Pastor Artur Pawlowski, "and health inspectors."

They note that there were no tickets issued to those who were holding a worship service for the practice of their faith in opposition to health orders. Police say that any further enforcement actions will be up to the health agencies.

Calgary Police say that they "understand the pandemic has caused great disruption to all Calgarians," but that they "do not wish to disrupt anyone's holidays or religious or spiritual events."

They say that despite these departmental wishes, they "must support" their "partner agencies when called upon to help ensure everyone can safely celebrate these occasions."

The incident that sparked the public outrage, and the ensuing police statement, was caught on video. In it, officers can be seen interrupting a service at Street Church, and Pastor Pawlowski shouts at them until they leave.

"Out! Immediately go out!" He says. "And don't come back. I don't want to talk to you. Not another word. Out of this property."

"Gestapo is not allowed here!" He yells at the officers. "Immediately get out!" The officers continue to try to make their point that the service needs to be shut down to comply with provincial health orders.

The officers move for the exit, while the lead officer continues to try to be heard.

"I don't care what you have to say," Pawlowski says. "Out! Out! Out of this property, you Nazis!" He screams.

The pastor repeatedly tells the police to "get out of this property immediately." He labels the officers "Nazis," saying "Gestapo is not allowed here."

Another church member says "If you don't have a warrant, please leave."

Eventually, they leave. The video shot by the church of the incident has been widely shared.