Cst. Ian MacNeil chats with drivers during a nighttime traffic stop to look for impaired drivers several summers ago. MacNeil was one of two Osoyoos RCMP officers named to Alexa’s Team for removing impaired drivers from the roads. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Two Osoyoos RCMP constables are being honoured for their efforts to keep impaired drivers off the road.
Cst. Sheldon Herman and Cst. Ian MacNeil were both named to Alexa’s Team, a program that recognizes police officers in B.C. who work to reduced the number of drivers on the road impaired by alcohol or drugs.
The team is named for Alexa Middelaer, who was killed by an impaired driver at the age of four while feeding a horse with her aunt in Delta, B.C.
To be named to Alexa’s team, an officer must catch at least 12 impaired drivers over the course of the year.
Herman was additionally designated as an All-Star, meaning he has taken at least 34 drivers who have been charged with impaired driving off the roads.
The combined total for the two officers was 141 impaired drivers, suggesting Herman’s number was well over 100, although police did not release the totals for each individual officer.
“I’m proud of the hard work done by these members as well as the rest of our members,” said Sgt. Jason Bayda, commanding officer of the Osoyoos Detachment.
Bayda noted that the number of impaired drivers removed by members of the detachment as a whole “would be quite a bit higher than 141.”
“I am even prouder they have made a difference while working (with) short resources,” Bayda added. “Impaired driving enforcement remains a priority outside of the members’ regular duties.”
The Alexa’s Team program started in 2008 and since then has grown from 26 to 2,154 RCMP and municipal police officers throughout B.C.
In 2016, the number of team members grew provincially by 268.
“Everyone has either had their lives directly impacted or knows someone who has had their lives impacted through those who have made the selfish choice to drive impaired,” said Bayda. “I cannot stress enough, we do not tolerate impaired drivers. Those who choose to continue to drive impaired will be caught.”
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
Cst. Sheldon Herman was designated as an Alexa’s Team All-Star meaning he has taken at least 34 impaired drivers off the roads. Although his exact total wasn’t given, it would have been well over 100 based on the combined total of the two officers. (Richard McGuire file photo)
