A Saanich dad was slapped with a $109 fine after his young daughter waved to a trailing police officer.

Multiple witnesses reported seeing the unrestrained child in back of the vehicle on Sunday afternoon.

When a police officer caught up to the white Honda Odyssey near Blanshard and Cloverdale Avenue, the 18-month-old waved to him through the rear window.

The officer waved back.

The driver, a 27-year-old Saanich man, was stopped, and claimed his daughter had been in her car seat.

The father was issued a ticket for having an improperly restrained passenger.

“Remember, the only safe place for a toddler is in an approved, properly restrained seat,” Saanich police Sgt. Dean Jantzen said.

kslavin@saanichnews.com