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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Federal Minister Defends Closure Of RCMP Lab In Halifax In Face Of Criticism

Federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews doesn't share the same concern over the closure of the RCMP lab in Halifax as the New Brunswick Police Association. 

It warns delays in processing evidence could get even longer. The Police Association and Chief Bill Reid blame delays in processing evidence in the Richard Oland Murder investigation as being largely responsible for no one being arrested yet. A police affadavit that was released recently shows most of the evidence, at the time it was written, had not been analysed.

Toews, who made a stop in Saint John this week, says he has been given assurances the closing of the lab in Halifax won't make a difference.

Police Association President Dean Secord says it means police in the Atlantic region will have to send their evidence to Ottawa for processing. 

Toews also doesn't go along with the claim that you have to wait your turn in getting the evidence processed regardless of high profile the case is.