Pubdate: Mon, 12 Jan 2009
Source: Labradorian, The (CN NF)
Copyright: 2009 The Labradorian
Contact:  http://www.thelabradorian.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3565
Author: Lorie O'Halloran
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/topic/Drug+Recognition+Experts

RCMP OFFICERS SAFE GUARDING OUR COMMUNITY

Road Safety; A Provincial Matter

A traffic services initiative saw five RCMP officers from 
Newfoundland on Labrador soil assisting in road safety checks.

Constable Richard Whea-ton, RCMP acting team leader for traffic 
services in NL, said the main idea of the initiative was for the 
officers to work together as a group.

Const. Wheaton said in a three-day period members issued a vast 
number of seatbelt infractions, speeding tickets and impaired driving.

Const. Wheaton said the seatbelt law has been in place since the 80s 
and for drivers in this day and age to continue not to use them is 
not acceptable.

On Dec 15 and 16 from 3pm until 6pm, there were three additional 
officers on the road and two additional until 2am. HV-GB has two 
officers dedicated to traffic services, Corporal Jeff Shannon and 
Constable Cara Ludtke.

On Dec 17, all five additional officers were on the roads, along with 
HV-GB's officers.

Const. Wheaton, based out of the Gander office, said the officers 
would be returning to Labrador again to continue with its initiative.

Cracking down on drug driving

Constable Richard Wheaton, DRE Provincial coordinator, said the DRE 
program has been going very well in NL.

He said to date Atlantic Canada is in second place, behind Ontario, 
in the number of drug-impaired charges with NL in particular, being 
only a few numbers behind Nova Scotia, the leader.

Corporal Evan Graham, National Coordinator of the Drug Recognition 
Experts (DRE) program said the Drug Evaluation and Classification 
Program is doing very well since the coming into force of the 
impaired driving provisions of Bill C-2.

Cpl Graham said over 160 charges have been laid and none have gone to 
trial as of this date.

"There have been guilty pleas in a number of provinces."

In July 2008 legislation was passed allowing RCMP to enforce the 
impaired driving law to its fullest, which included drug impaired driving.

Suspect eludes RCMP

On Jan 2 HV-GB RCMP responded to a reported break and enter into a 
shed at 11:16, suspect was no longer at scene upon RCMP arrival, 
fleeing on foot.

To date attempts to locate the suspect have been unsuccessful. No one 
was injured and no items were taken. The matter is still under investigation.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom