Kamloops' karaoke cop talks about going viral, plans an encore | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
Subscribe

Would you like to subscribe to our newsletter?

Current Conditions Cloudy  2.4°C

Kamloops News

Kamloops' karaoke cop talks about going viral, plans an encore

Kamloops RCMP Const. Kevin Roy plans to return to the Central Station Pub this April to deliver an encore performance and raise funds for the United Way.

KAMLOOPS - He didn't expect to become an Internet sensation overnight when he made a stop at the Central Station Pub on a regular Friday night ‘bar walk’, on-duty Kamloops RCMP Const. Kevin Roy simply wanted to get a message out about drinking and driving in a fun, creative way.

“A lot of people were asking me to sing a song and I politely declined. I saw a couple of people I recognized, they asked me to sing too. So I kind of felt the urge. I was like ‘you know what, I think I’ll get up there and sing',” he says.

Roy picked out Five For Fighting’s Superman and told his auxiliary constable to stand by the door to signal in case a call came in.

“The song kind of fit that mentality of a police officer and trying to do your absolute best. We’re only human; we’re relatable. It was a good chance to show them we’re people, too. We’re normal and we’re fun and we can make you laugh and not just get you in trouble,” he says. “I got up and sang the song and it was unbelievable. I’ve never heard a reaction like that in my life."

Roy says he saw everyone pull out their phone to record him, but didn’t expect the video would get millions of views.

"I told everybody after thanks guys, this was awesome, you guys were amazing. I hope everyone has a really fun night. Just make sure no drinking and driving because we’ll be watching. It sent the message, but in a fun way,” Roy says.

The next day Roy says he watched the view numbers on the video grow. He says he received praise from the Kamloops detachment and although he wasn’t able to speak to media about it afterwards, he believes it's because his superiors wanted to get the full version of the events. He even received a personal email from the top; RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson told him he watched the video and thought he did a great job.

Roy says for him, the video gave the public a more positive image of the RCMP and hopes it could scuttle some of the negativity he and his co-workers face. And while it’s been a number of months since the event, he’s still recognized regularly as the karaoke cop, even when making arrests.

With that recognition, the officer decided it was time for an encore, but this time his singing will feature a twist. Next month, his plan is to sing again at the same pub, but during his performance co-workers will be arresting him for the United Way’s Jail and Bail event.

“I really wanted the wave of momentum to continue. If we could do this I think we could take all the positive feedback from that video in the fall and use it for something good and raise money for the United Way,” he says.

The performance is scheduled for April 20 and Roy’s bail is set at $10,000. The time of arrest has not been determined yet.

In the meantime, if you would like to contribute to his bail fund you can do so by clicking here.

 

Central on Friday night. This cop killed it. #supermancop Kevin Roy For a slightly longer video click this link - https://www.facebook.com/kayla.brock2/videos/10153725902851282/ Posted by Cora MacLaren on Sunday, August 30, 2015

To contact a reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

News from © iNFOnews, 2016
iNFOnews

  • Popular kelowna News
View Site in: Desktop | Mobile