Statement by Chief Superintendent Rod Knecht, Former Officer in Charge RCMP Blood Task Force

June 30, 2006
The sentencing of the Canadian Red Cross Society marks a conclusion to the first chapter in the Blood Task Force investigation into the Canadian blood distribution system between 1980 and 1990. We are ever mindful of the importance of the human element of this investigation and are pleased that some of those who have been infected or affected by tainted blood have had the opportunity to address the court today. Their statements will put a ‘human face’ on the tainted blood tragedy and a perspective that numbers and statistics simply cannot. They are the voices of those who have died and of those who continue to suffer.

Due to the highly scientific and medical nature of the processes within the Canadian Blood System of the early 1980s, this investigation has been one of the most complex, document intensive and multi-jurisdictional investigations that the RCMP has undertaken. The result is that, as per our roles and responsibilities as police officers within the criminal justice system, the Blood Task Force investigators identified evidence for the necessary reasonable and probable grounds that lead to a number of charges that were brought before the courts.

The responsibility of the RCMP as Canada’s national police service is to ensure safe homes and safe communities. In fulfilling this mandate, the primary responsibility of the RCMP Blood Task Force was to gather the facts on behalf of the Canadian public and to lay criminal charges if the evidence supported reasonable and probable grounds that a criminal offence had occurred.

The Canadian public needs to have confidence in its public institutions. The Canadian public has the right to expect the safest blood and safest blood products possible. This is fundamental to the health, safety and lives of everyone living in Canada.

Since there are several Blood Task Force indictments still before the courts in Hamilton and Toronto, we will not be making comments on those matters or on any that are still under investigation. Thank you.

Chief Superintendent Knecht now holds the position of Officer in Charge of Criminal Operations for RCMP ‘K’ Division Alberta.