If you happened to spot Richmond’s chief police officer driving two local MLAs around the city last week in an unmarked police car, don’t worry – they weren’t under arrest.
And if you caught a glimpse of them attempting to belt out Aretha Franklin’s version of Beethoven’s Joy to the World, don’t report them for disturbing the peace, as it was for a very good cause.
Last Friday morning, Richmond RCMP’s Supt. Will Ng was behind the wheel, accompanied by Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap, Richmond-Queensborough MLA Jas Johal and Richmond Chinese Community Society’s executive director Henry Beh.
Every second of their short tour of Richmond was filmed from the inside and was inspired by the popular “Carpool Karaoke” segment on James Corden’s Late Late Show on CBS, where the host “picks up” a famous singer in his car before singing in sync to one of the artist’s songs.
The quartet was being filmed for the quirky Cop Car Karaoke video to promote Richmond RCMP’s annual Stuff the Cruiser event on Nov. 18, which is in aid of the Richmond Christmas Fund that assists families in poverty in the city.
“It’s a great cause for the kids and, when I was approached about this, even though I’m not into karaoke, I thought I’d give it a try,” said Yap, moments before getting “picked up” by the police superintendent.
“I have seen some clips of the James Cordon show, so I have an idea of what’s involved.”
Asked if he sings at home at all, Yap confessed that he occasionally bursts into song in the shower.
“But you don’t want to listen to me; it’s not one of my major talents,” he added.
“It’s just as well we’ll be lip-syncing; although it’s not as easy as it looks either.”
Supt. Ng said it was an easy decision when asked to take part by Cpl. Kevin Krygier, who oversees the detachment’s community outreach programs.
“Anything for the kids,” Ng told the Richmond News before jumping behind the wheel Friday, adding that he also sings at home, but only when no one else is around.
Before coming up with the idea, Corden fan Krygier said he was looking for a creative way to “rally the community to the toy drive.”
“The carpool karaoke videos were so catchy and fun and I thought this would be a good way to up our game from previous years and get everyone involved,” Krygier said.
“We managed to convince (Supt. Ng) to get involved, which is unique, we don’t always do that. But he was immediately behind it.”
Krygier said the unmarked police car being used for the video was all wired up with cameras to capture the fun.
“We have a camera crew following the car around to make sure the footage is what they’re looking for,” he said, adding that the video will be released early November.
Ed Gavsie, president and CEO of Richmond Cares, Richmond Gives — which runs the Richmond Christmas Fund — commended the RCMP for its “outstanding support” of the annual toy drive.
“(Stuff the Cruiser) has grown bigger and bigger every year,” Gavsie said.
“For our police to support the people most in need at Christmas is just wonderful.”
