A "civilian" boss? So the police are no longer civilians too? Welcome to Amerika, we're officially a police state.

There is nothing wrong with a little private sector dose of reality to put any government agency on its toes.

So, the Union and it's member believe they can do better than last time? Sorry. Time for responsible person to take over and not spend time on union issues.

The crime lab is a forensic science lab, and should be run by a scientist to reflect that. There is no reason a crime lab "should be managed by a sworn officer." The history of the St.Paul crime lab can attest to that.

There are many police jobs that can and should be done by civilians so we can put police officers back on the streets where they should be. Why do we need a sworn police officer to make statements to the media? Better those PR cops be back on the street fighting crime.

Crime labs are being run by Scientists all over the country, they need to get over it.

If the union agrees to pay for all the past and future expenses associated with this debacle, then we can put one of their members in charge. Unless that happen, let's put someone that is competent in there. Still wondering how the former director still has his job. If I screwed up like that, I know I wouldn't have mine.

Science is a different profession than law enforcement. Use people with the correct skill sets for the job.

Unbelievable. A bevy of data, the opinions of professional consultants, and challenges to court cases don't seem to provide enough evidence that the police cannot manage the lab. In what fantasy world is a regular officer from the Saint Paul PD a good candidate to run a forensics lab? It's a bit like if I'd just decide to start practicing medicine without a license. The new rule should be that police officers are banned from entering the lab. They should have a duel purpose drive-through wherein evidence is delivered through the vacuum tubes to the lab and donuts come back!

What I don't understand is why no one, especially Shay Shackle, was at least fired. And I have to wonder how many of the false test findings were truly accidental. In the interests of justice, the lab must be overseen by an independent scientist, not a cop in a lab coat.