I am writing this letter in regards to an incident that occurred while driving home from work on Thursday, June 14th.
The time was about 10:15 pm. I was driving down 15th towards Foothills, and was waved down by an RCMP officer who was standing on the side of the road. I was directed to turn into the parking lot before the Shell gas station. The RCMP officer did not approach my vehicle, but there was another man who waved me forward. I rolled down my window and he informed me that he was from the Department of Motor Vehicles and Licensing and they were conducting a survey. I agreed to answer a couple of questions reluctantly.
The questions asked were standard questions.
Where are you coming from? Where are you going?
He also asked on a scale of 1-7 if someone was drinking and driving what did I think the chances of them being pulled over by an officer be. After these questions were asked he pulled out a breathalyzer and asked if I would blow into it.
I was shocked and appalled by this as he was not an RCMP. I refused and he asked why. I replied with I did not feel that was a necessary part of a survey. He then said just another two or three minutes more and asked me for a swab of saliva. Again, more assertively this time, I refused. He did not push any further but just responded to have a good evening.
I don't know a lot about the law but I do know that this incident was harassment pure and simple. I left there in shock and disbelief, What is this province and country coming to that as a law abiding citizen I have to be harassed in this way and is this even legal? Does our mayor and city council support its citizens being harassed in this way?
I'm disgusted by this violation of my rights.
J. Grant
Prince George
