‘I don’t make any excuses:’ Former Kamloops Mountie before sentencing on drug charge

KAMLOOPS – The former Kamloops mountie who pleaded guilty to one count of possessing cocaine is expected to be sentenced later this week, but she appeared in court today to apologize for what she's done.

Randi Love, 41, was working as a police officer in Kamloops in July 2015, when RCMP were made aware of allegations of she was obtaining drugs.

She addressed Kamloops Provincial Court today, Jan. 18, to express remorse for her actions.

"I don't make any excuses," Love said. "I am remorseful for what I've done."

Love pleaded guilty to simple drug possession last week. Defence lawyer Brad Smith argued she tried cocaine on three occasions as a form of self-medicating.

Smith detailed Love's past, including the loss of her father and a severe neck and back injury she suffered while on duty as a Kamloops police officer.

Court heard in sentencing submissions that Love had reached out to a drug dealer on Facebook in June 2015 in order to get cocaine for two of her friends.

Smith said although she was getting the drugs for her friends, she ended up trying cocaine on three occasions. Love said today, Jan. 18, she doesn't recognize the person she was in summer 2015.

"I have created a lot of stress, a lot of embarrassment for my family, for my fiance, for myself," Love said.

Love was originally charged with three counts of trafficking in a controlled substance, but Crown prosecutor Gerry Sair stayed those charges today.

The trafficking charges were originally approved because Love had transported the drugs from the dealer to her friends. 

Love is expected to be sentenced on Friday, Jan. 20. The Crown is asking for a suspended sentence, which would enter a conviction on Love's record and the defence is asking for a conditional discharge.

The RCMP has said they were made aware of the allegations in July 2015 and Love submitted her discharge papers in October of that year. 

Both lawyers have suggested a 12 month probation period, during which Love would need to serve 50 hours of community service.

Find past stories on this case here.

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