News release

MADD Canada hosts Nick Coates Impaired Driving Awards, seven RCMP NL police officers inducted

June 12, 2025 - St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
From: Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP

Content

Congratulations to the seven RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador police officers who were inducted into the 2024-2025 Nick Coates Impaired Driving Team by MADD Canada.

Nick Coates’ Team is a program that recognizes dedicated RCMP and RNC police officers throughout Newfoundland and Labrador who diligently work to reduce the number of drivers on the road impaired by alcohol and/or drugs.

The team is named for Nicholas Coates, who was killed by an alcohol-impaired driver in 2013. While this initiative bears his name, its purpose is to honour all survivors and victims of impaired driving.

“Each year, the actions of impaired drivers result in serious injuries and deaths for those who chose to drive while impaired and innocent victims who share the roadway. These tragedies, which are entirely preventable, cause extreme, lasting and far-reaching devastation to individuals, families and communities throughout our province,” says Assistant Commissioner Pat Cahill, Commanding Officer of RCMP NL.

“I commend our seven police officers — as well as the officers recognized from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary — for their tireless efforts to maintain roadway safety. Each stop and every arrest made represents potential lives saved.”

To be part of the Nick Coates’ Team, an officer is required to have removed eight or more impaired drivers from the province’s roadways from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.  The awards are classified into two categories: Gold (12 or more impaired drivers) and Silver (minimum of 8 impaired drivers).

This year’s RCMP gold award recipients are:

• Constable Caleb Pellerin (Traffic Services West)
• Constable Stephen Miller (Grand Falls-Windsor)
• Constable Janet Reddy (Holyrood)

This year’s RCMP silver award recipients are:

• Constable Gina King (Traffic Services East)
• Constable Bradley Layman (Burin Peninsula)
• Constable Mackenzie McCoy (Harbour Grace)
• Constable Jarrett Thorne (Traffic Services Central)

Constables Pellerin, Layman, Reddy, Thorne and McCoy are all returning award recipients.

For the third year in a row, the title of RCMP Top Performer was awarded to Constable Caleb Pellerin of RCMP Traffic Services West.

A special thanks to MADD Canada for their continued partnership and commitment to educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving, and for recognizing the work of our police officers.

RCMP NL also reminds everyone that impaired operation of any motor vehicle is a choice that unnecessarily places the driver and all others who share the roadway at an increased level of risk. If you suspect an individual is driving while impaired, please immediately call your local police or 911 to make a report.

Contacts