South Okanagan

The editor of the Osoyoos Times has issued an apology to the Cpl. Ryan McLeod and the RCMP.

Photo: Contributed - Osoyoos Times

Osoyoos Times Editor, Keith Lacey

Last week, Keith Lacey made news himself when he slammed McLeod following a routine drinking and driving stop.

Lacey accused the officer of 'humiliating, disrespecting and traumatizing' him.

McLeod had stopped Lacey shortly after he, and his girlfriend, left a liquor store in Osoyoos.

The editorial elicited a sharp response from RCMP Supt. Ray Bernoties, Officer in Charge of 'E' Division Communications Services.

Bernoties, who viewed a video tape of the event, stated McLeod acted in a 'very calm and professional' manner throughout the situation.

He offered to bring the tape to Osoyoos and view it with Lacey and the entire community.

"I owe a sincere and heartfelt apology to Cpl. Ryan S. McLeod of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for comments that appeared in the Wednesday, Feb. 8 edition of the Osoyoos Times," says Lacey in his letter of apology.

"I fully realize the experienced officer was only doing his job the night in question and my over reaction to what happened between him and I was inappropriate, regardless of what transpired during those 20 minutes. It was also inappropriate to insist the encounter was embarrassing and humiliating as the officer was respectful at all times in conducting his duties."

Lacey went on to say the officer was performing his duties and his (Lacey's) reaction was inappropriate.

"As has been pointed out to me in clear detail since this incident, Cpl. McLeod takes the issue of drinking and driving very seriously and he is well within his rights as a police officer in British Columbia to pull over anyone he suspects may have been consuming alcohol."

Bernoties, in his response, said McLeod has with him a photo of a young girl who was killed by an impaired driver.

Lacey blew well below the legal limit and was allowed to go on his way.

"I realize I let emotion get the better of me which I sincerely regret. As a veteran journalist, I know the power of words and much of the language and comments I made about Cpl. McLeon in the performance of his duties were uncalled for," added Lacey.

"Cpl. McLeod did not at any time attempt to humiliate or embarrass me and he handled himself professionally and was not confrontational during our encounter. He did not deserve to be singled out for simply doing his job and I remain truly sorry for what has transpired."

In a form of a response, the RCMP put out a media advisory at 2 p.m. Monday Feb. 13, stating Cpl. McLeod will not comment until the paper releases the video. The RCMP say they have asked the paper to do so. The paper has yet to respond or post the video.

Click here for the complete editorial from Google cache.