Two officers with the North Bay Police Service, along with three local OPP officers were recognized Monday evening at the North Bay OPP detachment for their commitment to taking impaired drivers off local roads.
North Bay Police Constables Chris Dahlke and Kaleb Mueller received the MADD Nipissing chapter “MADD Officer of the Year Award," presented to the North Bay Police Service officers who laid the most impaired driving charges within the city of North Bay.
Dahlke and Mueller processed a combined total of 22 Impaired Driving charges, and were praised for their efforts in front of a group of family members, fellow officers and members of the MADD Nipissing Committee.
"Congratulations to officers from North Bay OPP and North Bay Police Service. Thank you for your contribution to road safety and dedication to eliminating impaired driving," MADD stated on social media.
OPP Constables Craig Larose, Mike Leboeuf and Nicholas Martineau were also recognized.
Impaired driving is still one of the leading causes of death on Ontario roads. In 2023, 49 people died in Ontario as a result of alcohol or drug-impaired driving.
“Driving impaired, by drugs or alcohol, continues to be a problem on our roadways and highways putting the lives of people at risk,” said NBPS Inspector
of Operations, Jeff Warner.
“This award recognizes the efforts our members make on a daily basis to improve road safety in our community and to hold people accountable if they choose to drive impaired.”
In Canada, drivers who are caught impaired by drugs or alcohol face the following consequences:
- immediate roadside 90-day suspension
- 7-day vehicle impoundment
- $550 penalty
Upon conviction in court, drivers face the following additional consequences:
- 1-year licence suspension
- mandatory education or treatment
- requirement to use an ignition interlock device for 1 year
If someone is injured or killed during an impaired driving crash, the consequences are much higher. If you see someone you think is driving impaired or is about to drive impaired, call police immediately.
