Vernon cop arrested for drunk driving

RCMP - Story: 51630 Dec 21, 2009 / 11:44 am CASTANET:
RCMP News Release issued by Cpl. Annie Linteau Communication Officer "E" Div. Strategic Communications
A Vernon RCMP officer is facing impaired driving related charges after being arrested by Vernon RCMP. On December 19, at approximately 2:30 a.m., Vernon RCMP members located a male in a parked vehicle who they suspected was about to drive while impaired. They determined that the driver was an off-duty RCMP member currently posted in Vernon. He was behind the wheel of his personal vehicle at the time of the incident. All circumstances surrounding the incident will be forwarded to Crown Counsel for charge assessment. The member will make his first court appearance on February 4, 2010 in Vernon. The member has been reassigned to administrative duties while the criminal investigation is being conducted. A parallel internal Code of Conduct investigation is also been launched. Once sufficient information has been received, it will be provided to the appropriate decision maker for a decision on duty status.

"As police officers, all too often we have seen firsthand the tragic consequences of impaired driving. This member is the third RCMP officer in BC to be arrested for impaired driving in 2009, and on behalf of senior management I am deeply disappointed to hear of this incident. This member will now face not only the criminal justice system, but also an internal RCMP Code of Conduct investigation where possible sanction range from loss of pay to dismissal from the force," says A/Commr. Al Macintyre, Criminal Operations Officer for the RCMP in BC.

Assistant Commissioner Al Macintyre will be speaking to the media about the case from "E" Division RCMP Headquarters in Vancouver this afternoon.