The Canadian police branch, that at the end of November published a Facebook post threatening to punish drunk-drivers by subjecting them to the music of Nickelback, have today issued an apology, and deleted the aforementioned post.
Kensington Police Service had previously warned that anyone they pulled over would be made to listen to the band’s 2001 debut Silver Side Up, which went double platinum. This threat was issued through the Service’s official Facebook page, stating in anticipation of the holiday season:“When we catch you, and we will catch you, on top of a hefty fine, a criminal charge and a year’s driving suspension we will also provide you with a bonus gift of playing the offices [sic] copy of Nickelback in the cruiser on the way to jail.”
The post continued “Now, now, no need to thank us, we figure if you are foolish enough to get behind the wheel after drinking then a little Chad Kroeger and the boys is the perfect gift for you.”
Yesterday the department-which is serves 146,283 people on Prince Edward Island- posted an apology to their post. The full statement can be read here, and in the apology Constable Rob Hartlen said: “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 […] At first I admit I was fine with the way I worded the post. I was sure a hugely successful band would be fine with a little good will shade thrown their way […] but 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.”
Hartlen concluded the statement with a direct apology to the band members themselves, saying “I am sorry to Chad, Ryan, Mike and Daniel. Not as just members of Nickelback, but more importantly as fellow Canadians. I’m sorry guys because I didn’t take a moment to think of you AS just guys. Having to watch as media around the world takes a pot shot at you and having no way to defend yourself.”
