Skip to content

From bad choices can come wisdom

Dear editor, It can’t be denied that almost everybody will make mistakes throughout their life and I believe that the way in which we rectify those mistakes will have a much bigger impact on the individual and those around them.

Dear editor,It can’t be denied that almost everybody will make mistakes throughout their life and I believe that the way in which we rectify those mistakes will have a much bigger impact on the individual and those around them.Not everybody is given the privilege to right their wrongs in the way that I am, and I am very appreciative for the opportunity. The Community Justice Centre has provided me not only with this opportunity but also a chance to see how the decisions I made affected the police force and my community.Recently I was out on Friday night with a few friends up in Cumberland. I was drinking that night and definitely had a few too many (the first of a few bad choices). Near the end of the night I was outside the bar. Looking back I realize strolling around the streets past the point of intoxication was another thing on the list of bad choices.An undercover officer approached me and, not recognizing that at first, I made a few rude comments. After she identified herself as an officer, I decided it would be OK to continue running my mouth.I was placed under verbal arrest and before I could be cuffed, I made the worst choice of all. I decided to run.I make no excuses for what I did but I’m sure the alcohol aided in my stupidity. I clearly was not thinking when I ran. I have no previous charges. I didn’t have anything illegal on me. It was foolish. It was a very busy night and the officer was on her own, so after a while I managed to get away and I thought that would be the end of it. A week later, after stopping by my house, I met the same officer and was arrested for evading arrest.Fortunately for me, she is a very reasonable person and decided it would be better for my case to go through Community Justice Centre than the court system.I didn’t realize until after how many things my actions affected that night.The first, and foremost, was the effect on an RCMP officer. Following some drunk guy down a dark alley would not be high on my list of things to do any day, and this is something she did without hesitation. Had she not been alone that night, I have no doubts she would have caught me.When I think what must have being going through her head, not only on this night but every time somebody makes poor choices like mine or worse, I gain more respect for the police. I do not pretend to know what they must go through on a day-to-day basis but after talking to the officer I am gratified that I was able to gain some insight on what its like.On top of wasting the officer’s time that night, nine squad cars and the canine unit had to be called up to Cumberland to look for me, not only wasting time and money, but I also had all other police calls backed up for multiple hours. I feel remorse for what I did but I can’t imagine how I would feel if I was cause for police not being able to reach someone who truly needed their help.Name withheldEditor's note: This public letter of apology was submitted as one of the outcomes of a recent resolution conference at the Community Justice Centre.