Last week, PEI police officers went viral upon threatening to make drunk drivers listen to a cassette copy of Nickelback's Canrock classic Silver Side Up while under arrest. The band reportedly didn't take to the joke too kindly, and in realizing the error of their ways, the police department has apologized.
Const. Robb Hartlen, who authored the original post, shared an apology on Friday (December 2) for his actions online.
"Our little post became an international story. And somewhere in the noise, the message of Don't Drink and Drive was overshadowed by negativity towards the band I said I would play if you did," he wrote. "The more successful the post became the less the Don't Drink and Drive message was mentioned and the fact we love or love to hate Nickelback took centre stage."
He continued: "I am sorry to Chad, Ryan, Mike and Daniel. Not as just members of Nickelback, but more importantly as fellow Canadians. You guys share so much with so many and I truly feel bad for using that the way I did. It was not my intention, It was not my desire but it was the outcome and I have to own that. So for that I am sorry."
Moving forward, Hartlen said that the police department will be launching a new campaign against drinking and driving that "embraces all Canadians" and "will work to help many, not shun a few."
Read Hartlen's full apology below.
Const. Robb Hartlen, who authored the original post, shared an apology on Friday (December 2) for his actions online.
"Our little post became an international story. And somewhere in the noise, the message of Don't Drink and Drive was overshadowed by negativity towards the band I said I would play if you did," he wrote. "The more successful the post became the less the Don't Drink and Drive message was mentioned and the fact we love or love to hate Nickelback took centre stage."
He continued: "I am sorry to Chad, Ryan, Mike and Daniel. Not as just members of Nickelback, but more importantly as fellow Canadians. You guys share so much with so many and I truly feel bad for using that the way I did. It was not my intention, It was not my desire but it was the outcome and I have to own that. So for that I am sorry."
Moving forward, Hartlen said that the police department will be launching a new campaign against drinking and driving that "embraces all Canadians" and "will work to help many, not shun a few."
Read Hartlen's full apology below.
