Not to point you in any directions –  I would like to comment on recent Media Coverage of stories about local police in the South Okanagan and court cases against the Ministry of Justice.

I think I have a good relationship with RCMP officers in both Osoyoos and Oliver. Not all my questions are answered to my satisfaction but there are many reasons, (unknown to me), for that silence.

The publication of legal documents in BC courts is allowable and sometime necessary but in this case – reporters are now starting to dig up old files covered previously to make a list of  so called “incidents” trying to make their case that a real problem exists. They are quoting from writs that talk to situations many years ago that seem not to have been dealt with, tested or heard in court.

Some of the history stems from a time when the Osoyoos/Oliver joint detachment was supervised by personnel that have moved on. In 2013 the Oliver and Osoyoos detachments were allowed to separate as a different command and control system was put in place.

The “negative” coverage adds stress to the job and in my humble opinion is extremely frustrating for OUR police.

Both commanders live in Oliver with their families and are respected contributing members of OUR town. All of the CPL’s and CST’s I have met have been great – even when – I am pulled over or go through a roadblock.

All of us, reporters and the public, often want to get to the bottom of mysteries and the case of suspended officer Constable Amit Goyal features high in that concern. Goyal is suspended with PAY. There maybe good reasons for that but the thought lingers – what was done wrong – why the continuing payment of wages. The RCMP brass elsewhere need to account for that.

Local commanders are respecting policy and direction from their superiors. RCMP comment on these matters is coming from a senior officer in charge of communications on the lower mainland and that is probably a good idea.

Support your local police officers.