Pubdate: Tue, 28 Feb 2012
Source: Merritt Herald (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Merritt Herald
Contact:  http://www.merrittherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1446
Author: Phillip Woolgar
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)

COURT DATE PUSHED BACK FOR MERRITT COP

The first court appearance for former Merritt RCMP Staff Sgt. Stuart 
Seib was pushed from Feb. 21 to May 23.

Crown spokesman Neil MacKenzie said his office is in the process of 
assessing the RCMP investigative report.

"Crown decided it would be appropriate to conduct the review before 
the court date," he said. "If charges are approved, we have to go 
through disclosing Crown evidence to the accused."

The Crown is slated to read the charges against Seib at the court 
appearance. Seib then has the option to make a plea.

"We aren't expecting a plea at that date," MacKenzie said.

Seib was charged with stealing drugs valued at under $5,000 from 
seized exhibits.

Merritt's former top cop was an RCMP member for nearly 20 years. He 
was transferred from Clearwater to Merritt in November 2011.

Seib was arrested on Jan. 10 and had his badge and service weapon seized.

Drugs have also gone missing, along with cash, at the Nanaimo RCMP 
detachment, police announced on Wednesday.

Police there are investigating the disappearance of 0.3 grams of 
cocaine and $10,000.

Nanaimo RCMP Supt. Norm McPhail told CFJC TV7 in Kamloops that he is 
considering multiple changes to handling exhibits.

The paraphernalia were discovered missing during a routine exhibit 
movement in December.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom