Drunks Getting Off

by Kelly Hayes - Story: 32291 August 07, 2007 Castanet

Kelowna RCMP admit they've been using the catch-and-release program for years when it comes to enforcing drunk-driving, but say it's nothing new. Superintendent, Bill McKinnon, says issuing a 24 hour notice to a drunk driver instead of laying charges is common practice. "Because we're so busy, there are many times when a drunk driver will be issued a 24-hour suspension instead of being prosecuted. That's a reality." McKinnon says the practice has been going on for years. "They're not being let go, but they're not being prosecuted. That practice has been in existence since I arrived here in 2001, and it's something that happens across the province. We're not the only detachment in the province that does it." McKinnon says it's at the discretion of each member on whether to charge or issue a warning to a drunk driver and he says it all comes down to resources. "When I joined the force, you could process a drunk driver in about two hours, but now it's a five hour process. We need more members to deal with the workload and the justice system needs to take a look at some of the practices that are going on in the courts."

McKinnon says prosecuting a drunk driver is also a very time consuming and sophisticated process because of disclosure rules. He says everything must be recorded and turned over to the defence. "Impaired driving is the most complex case to prosecute in BC. It's the most tried and technically advanced case that goes before the courts." McKinnon says a lack of jail space is also one the reasons why some drunk drivers are being issued 24-hour suspensions. He says there are not enough holding cells to handle the load. "We don't have the capacity to deal with that right now." The RCMP holding cells dealt with more than 770 prisoners last month. That's an increase of nearly 100 compared to last July.