Police staff 'arrested'

Photo: Contributed

Vernon RCMP support staff were 'arrested' by Carnival cops in support of the Vernon Winter Carnival Arrest the Best fundraiser.

'Criminal's were lurking in the midst of Vernon police Friday, but fortunately Carnival Cops were on hand to save the day.

Vernon RCMP support staff were 'arrested' by Carnival cops in support of the Vernon Winter Carnival Arrest the Best fundraiser.

On Feb. 8, two Vernon RCMP support staff were caught off guard when they landed in the Arrest the Best Jail located outside the Vernon RCMP detachment.

Anne-Marie Foster, general manager of municipal support services and Janet Moore, manager of records and client services, were arrested and thrown in jail with no hopes of bail, until they could raise at least $200 to break free.

Foster and Moore quickly began pleading with their RCMP colleagues, including those from the Fire Services Department and the City of Vernon, for pledges to raise enough money to reach bail and be released.

“The Carnival Cops showed no mercy on Foster or Moore with the frigid temperatures outside and threw them in the jail, fuzzy handcuffs and all,” said Const. Kelly Brett. “Superintendent of the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP Jim McNamara was also present and happy to make a donation in an effort to get his two valuable employees released from jail.”

Both Foster and Moore survived the elements raising $441.81 in bail money with all proceeds benefiting the Vernon Winter Carnival Society. 

“The Arrest the Best jail is a long-standing tradition for the Vernon Winter Carnival dating back to 1966, and it is great to see the community come together to raise funds in support of one of Canada’s largest Winter festivals,” said Brett. “RCMP staff and support services had fun assisting Foster and Moore in reaching their fundraising goal and even surpassing it.”