David Kelly, a New Brunswick lawyer, said his client is stuck at home on house arrest because his court case has been adjourned after two RCMP witnesses have been seconded to security detail in Vancouver during the winter games. (CBC)

A New Brunswick lawyer is upset that his client's court date is being delayed because a large number of police officers are in Vancouver helping with security.

David Kelly said his client is under house arrest awaiting his next court appearance. However, that trial date has been adjourned because the two witnesses are RCMP officers who have been seconded to the winter games.

"I didn't want the adjournment. You know, let's get things moving. House arrest is like remand, you can't go out of your house," Kelly said.

"You know, there is a presumption of innocence in this country; there's supposed to be. I just don't think it's fair myself."

Kelly said some officers have been taken from the RCMP's drug squad and he said their absence has not affected only his client.

"I've talked to a couple of other people, and they have a couple clients that are in the same boat," the Saint John lawyer said.

Policing needs met

For security reasons, the RCMP will not disclose how many New Brunswick officers are in Vancouver.

However, Const. Chantal Farrah said the force has taken the appropriate measures to make up for the shortfall while many of its members are on the west coast.

"The RCMP have kept in mind all our policing needs in the province to make sure those weren't disrupted," Farrah said.

"We also took further steps by stopping any training we were going to give during the games and also by restricting annual leave for members."

Farrah said the RCMP tried not to second any officers with court commitments for security assignments during the winter games. But she said it was difficult to know ahead of time which cases would go to trial in February.