News release

Off-duty PEI RCMP officer assaulted while detaining and arresting suspected impaired driver

April 10, 2025 - Bonshaw, Prince Edward Island
From: Prince Edward Island RCMP

Content

An off-duty PEI RCMP officer noted a smell of alcohol on an individual who returned to the driver’s seat of a vehicle and while attempting to detain the individual, was assaulted.

On April 1, 2025 at approximately 6:30 p.m. the off-duty officer entered a gas station on the Trans-Canada Highway and while in line at the cash register was behind an individual who presented a notable smell of alcohol. The officer watched the person get into the driver’s seat of a vehicle and approached, identifying themselves as a police officer. The officer stated they wanted to speak with the individual and during the course of the conversation, the person repeatedly shoved the officer and attempted to return to their vehicle. The officer called 911 to request assistance from another police officer to assist with the investigation and then attempted to again detain the individual.

The off-duty officer then controlled and restrained the resisting person on the ground. Witnesses attempted to intervene, and on at least two occasions the officer identified themselves as a member of the PEI RCMP, asking them to refrain from intervening. Other officers arrived on scene and were able to take the individual into custody.

The individual, a 15-year-old has been charged with assaulting a police officer. Video footage from RCMP officer body cameras, CCTV from the gas station and videos shared by witnesses are all being used as part of the investigation which is ongoing.

Quotes

“When a police officer is off-duty, they have the same authorities as when they are on-duty. Unlike other professions, police officers, even when off-duty are required to intervene in a situation to prevent a criminal offence from occurring, or to stop a criminal offence from continuing. Our officer believed an offence was about to be committed and stepped in to ensure the public and the individual were safe, which is exactly what I would expect any police officer to do in the same situation. Great work by this officer in keeping our communities safe, even when off-duty.”

Chief Superintendent Kevin Lewis – Commanding Officer PEI RCMP

Contacts

Scott C. Ferris
Senior Communications Advisor
Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Prince Edward Island
RCMP - PEI
@RCMPPEI
RCMP - PEI
@RCMPPrinceEdwardIsland