Twelve Nanaimo RCMP officers were recognized for their efforts in removing impaired drivers from mid-Island roads.
Cpl. Norm Smith and constables Dave Buchanan, Ross Beisel, Brian Sampson, Wayne Vaughan, Grant Blanchette, Kate Mooney, Shawn Parker, Katie Butler, Mike Ilioi, Dan Boucher and Etienne St. Laurent-Chenard were named to the BCAA Road Safety Foundation 2011 Alexa’s Team.
Alexa Middelaer was four years old when an impaired driver killed her in 2008 while she stood with her aunt on the side of the road feeding a horse.
Formed in 2008, Alexa’s Team has grown from 26 members to 355 RCMP and municipal police officers in the province.
Since then, the team has processed 32,743 impaired driving charges or penalties against drivers in violation of B.C’s impaired driving laws.
Alexa’s Team, police officers must have removed at least 12 impaired drivers from the road in the previous calendar year.
“These are the men and women who are fundamentally responsible for making our roads safe,” said Laurel Middelaer, Alexa’s mother.
“They have delivered on their promise in an exceptional and meaningful way, and we are proud to be recognizing their excellence today, in honour of our daughter, Alexa.”
For more information, please go to www.BCAARoadSafety.com.