On Friday, the San Francisco Police Department changed leadership at its crime lab, giving charge to sincere officers as inspection persists as a technician mishandled cocaine evidence.

The changes are part of the department's attempts to limit damage from a scandal that has compelled police to stop drug testing, and left prosecutors no option but to give up over 200 narcotics cases.

Police Chief George Gascon has also turned to outside inspectors to examine the drug area of the lab as he tries to restore its credibility that was injured by suspicions that a 60-year-old technician, Deborah Madden, robbed and used cocaine. However, Madden has not been alleged.

The examiners are probing why it took two months for police to open a criminal inquiry about Madden's probable drug robbery.

Gascon declared that Cmdr. Jeff Godown, who was a former colleague of the Chief's in the Los Angeles Police Department, has been promoted to Assistant Chief and will take charge of the crime lab at Hunters Point. He is substituting Assistant Chief Jim Lynch, who is on the verge of retiring.

A new captain has also been placed by the Chief at the crime lab along with a lieutenant to help manage it.

The department said, "These moves are temporary and are expected to last 90 to 180 days have been implemented to enhance the transparency of the investigation".