Pubdate: Thu, 05 Jul 2012
Source: Merritt Herald (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Merritt Herald
Contact:  http://www.merrittherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1446
Author: Robin Poon
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)

FORMER MERRITT MOUNTIE CHIEF COULD AVOID TRIAL

A former RCMP commander charged with stealing cocaine from an 
evidence locker missed another scheduled court appearance Tuesday and 
may ultimately avoid a trial altogether.

Shawn Buckley, a Kamloops lawyer speaking on behalf of Seib and his 
defence counsel, Neville McDougall, said in Merritt court Tuesday, 
"There are negotiations underway to resolve this file without a trial."

Seib faces two charges of theft under $5,000, and one charge of 
breach of trust by a public officer.

A 17-year veteran of the RCMP, Seib took over as head of the Merritt 
RCMP detachment in November 2011. Before that, he served as head of 
the Clearwater detachment.

The RCMP suspended Seib in January 2012 after allegations that he 
stole and used cocaine from a police evidence locker surfaced.

In court Tuesday, Buckley passed on McDougall's request that Seib's 
appearance date be moved to September since he did not believe a 
resolution could be reached by July 17, the next time Merritt court 
is in session. McDougall himself is not available for the August 
court dates, Buckley added.

"The reason he was hoping for the September date was so he could have 
a personal appearance," said Buckley. McDougall's office is in Kelowna.

William Burrows of the Kamloops Crown noted that a prosecutor at the 
Port Coquitlam office is responsible for the case. That lawyer, 
Sheryl Wagner, was absent from Merritt court Tuesday as well.

Burrows said the Crown did not oppose pushing Seib's next court date 
to September. He added that he believes Seib is currently in a drug 
treatment centre, making court attendance impossible.

The Crown does not require a personal appearance from McDougall, said Burrows.

The court granted the defence's request and scheduled Seib's next 
appearance for Sept. 4 at 9:30 a.m. in Merritt court.

Sgt. Rob Vermeulen confirmed in May that Seib had resigned from the 
RCMP. As such, he is no longer subject to any disciplinary action 
under the RCMP Act, Vermeulen said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom