Officials in Cook County, Georgia, may be trying to make amends after a Canadian woman was jailed in April because she was driving with a valid Ontario license. But so far there is no apology. A woman officer of the Cook County Sheriff’s Department simply didn’t know it was legal to be a Canadian at the wheel of car on I-75, it appears. Now the county has met with Canadian Consul General Nadia Theodore “to discuss how the parties could move forward.” The meeting, as reported by the CBC, focused on “best practices” for law enforcement officers and Canadian citizens visiting Georgia. It was done at the behest of Theodore, a release said. Georgia may require foreigners to show additional proof of their identity such as a passport. The victim of the police blunder, Emily Nield, 27, of Klienberg, had copies of her passport and other documents on her phone.
“NO, CANADIAN LICENSES ARE NOT ACCEPTED”
She says she is also the holder of a so-called Nexus card, proof that she is what is called in the US a “trusted traveller.” But none of that nor the photo on her license, was enough to stop the cops from throwing her in jail for driving while Canadian. Nield says the officer kept saying, “No, Canadian licences are not accepted.” In the end, however, it seems like Cook County is far from apologizing. “The men and women of my office are dedicated public servants,” Sheriff Douglas Hanks said in Tuesday’s statement. “As I explained to Consul General Theodore, her citizens will be treated with respect and dignity and will be treated no different than that of Americans or any other person whom we come into contact with.” Jailed for “driving while Canadian” in Cook County, Georgia CBC
I saw that ‘statement’ issued by the Sheriff.
I agree – that was no apology. I don’t even think it was an explanation.
Merely a statement, which frankly seems rude, considering what they put this woman through.
Yes – she was speeding and should have been fined. But what happened in addition was just over the top nonsense.