Police Staff Commended For Work On Greeks Case

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Monday, 17 June 2013 15:49 
It took a lot of behind the scenes work to get convictions in the drug related killings by members of the Greeks gang in Vernon.  The case was the longest in BC history, with over 100 witnesses, one million documents, and costing an estimated 60 million dollars. At a news conference at the Vernon detachment Monday, Chief Superintendent Jim Gresham from the RCMP's E Division gave commanding officer accommodation certificates to six people today at the Vernon RCMP detachment, recognizing their significant roles in the case. "In my view, this investigation and the support of prosecution is simply one of the greatest accomplishments in the history of the RCMP's major crimes program. Each of today's recipients were integral in the success and therefore I'm here to day to thank each for their hard work and dedication," said Gresham. Former police officers Greg Heck, Al Rodgers, Ewen Pitt and Brent Lynn recognized along with support staff Pat Goertz who transcribed hours of interviews, and Sandy Irvine who as exhibit custodian, meticulously catalogued four thousand exhibits to prepare them for court. The police probe, which started in 2005, and subsequent court cases led to eight first degree murder convictions, three of second degree and three of manslaughter. Retired RCMP Inspector Al Haslett, who was the lead investigator in the case, says having a strong support staff was vital."We would never have had a successful prosecution without them. To see the work they did in the background was phenomenal and how they did it, and how committed they were. Going out and gathering the evidence is one thing, putting it before the courts is a total different thing," says Haslett, who retired from the force in February.