The editor of the Osoyoos Times is apologizing after writing a scathing editorial that alleged he was disrespected and humiliated by a local RCMP officer.

Keith Lacey of the Osoyoos Times was outraged when Cpl. Ryan McLeod pulled him over and asked him to blow into a breathalyser on Feb. 3.

He wrote a 1,400-word editorial, which was published Feb.8 but then later pulled from the paper's online archives.

The article detailed the incident and alleged the officer "abused his position of authority."

But in an apologetic retraction published Feb. 12, Lacey says he overreacted, his actions were inappropriate and he is "deeply sorry."

"I realize I let emotion get the better of me, which I sincerely regret," wrote Lacey.

Osoyoos Times editor Keith Lacey is apologizing for writing an article alleging he was disrespected and humiliated by a local RCMP officer on Feb.3. (Osoyoos Times)

"Cpl. McLeod did not at any time attempt to humiliate or embarrass me and he handled himself professionally and was not confrontational during our encounter. He did not deserve to be singled out for simply doing his job and I remain truly sorry for what has transpired."

After Lacey's first editorial, the officer in charge of RCMP communications in B.C., Supt. Ray Bernoties, publicly requested a retraction and apology.

"One of our hard-working young corporals there in Osoyoos, keeping people safe, was being — in my opinion — slandered. And also I was concerned that the trust and confidence levels of the people of Osoyoos who may have read the article could be adversely impacted," said Bernoties on Monday.

"I certainly can't speak for Cpl. McLeod but I believe [the apology] was the right thing to do," said Bernoties.

Bernoties says the RCMP won't sue the paper for libel but couldn't say if Cpl. McLeod would personally pursue legal action.

With files from the CBC's Steve Lus and Jackie Sharkey