Regina firefighters union responds to drunk driving allegations
The union representing firefighters in Regina has issued a memo to its members saying allegations of drinking and driving following a golf tournament are an embarrassment to the union, and have damaged its reputation.
"We need to hold ourselves at a much higher standard at all times," said the email from the Regina Professional Fire Fighters Association, Local 181, adding those involved in the allegations "were both active and retired L181 members."
The allegations have also led to the cancellation of an upcoming golf tournament.
Police called to tavern
Following a golf tournament on May 23, members of Local 181 wound up drinking at Leopold's Tavern on Rochdale, according to the union's memo.
Regina police confirm they responded to a call from the bar. A patron in the bar at the time says the men were kicked out for being disruptive, and the call came from the staff member serving the men.
According to police, the men were later found at a bar on the 6100 block of Rochdale.
Police say there was no way for the officer to determine if the men had driven there. The men told police that they would not drive and that they could find another way home.
The Regina police department's Les Parker said since the men were found drinking in a bar, a breathalyzer would have clearly established that the men had been drinking. But since they were not in a car, and there was no way to determine if they had driven to the bar, no such test was conducted.
No charges have been laid.
'Unfortunate incident'
"This is an unfortunate incident, and we don't have anything further to say on it," said Kevin Tetlow, president of the Regina Professional Fire Fighters Association.
Tetlow said that he would not comment on what the union would do in response to its members' behaviour.
The union has warned its members that they are subject to greater scrutiny in the public eye.
"This is not the first time we have had issues at golf tournaments. We have not been welcomed back to courses from previous years and we are not willing to put our name on these events any longer," said the letter.
The union has cancelled a tournament slated for June 12 at Deer Valley Golf Course.
