HIJACKED LAWS TURN 'JUSTICE' SYSTEM INTO A 'LEGAL'
ONE

Regarding the July 31 Postmedia News story "Rights violations by RCMP
nullify drug-probe evidence," I was the team leader for the
investigative team during this complex operation.

I take issue with Judge Paul Meyers' analysis and conclusions, and
with his statements of the investigators acting in "bad faith"
throughout this investigation.

I take issue with the fact that the description of the post-arrest
breaches of the Charter leaves the impression that these suspects were
victimized by the police. For example, I disagree with the analysis
and conclusion that they were humiliated during the decontamination
process.

These suspects willingly exposed themselves to toxic chemicals for
money. It is not reasonable that police officers should expose
themselves without taking precautions. Judge Meyers describes several
breaches of the suspects' Charter rights, but what he doesn't do is
describe the incredible dedication and hard work that the members of
the team demonstrated during this investigation.

I cannot allow Judge Meyers' position to be the permanent public
record of the thankless job these men and women did to protect us from
bad people, dangerous drugs and toxic chemicals.

Unfortunately, we have allowed our laws to be hijacked by a process
that has twisted our system from a justice system to a legal system.

It is now true more than ever that the criminals are no longer on
trial. Instead, the police and the investigation are on trial. And
that is what I believe occurred here.

Staff Sgt. Tim Chad,

RCMP, Lower Mainland District