UPDATED: Police confirm Dalhousie has shared info about controversial Facebook group

HALIFAX – Halifax police confirmed on Wednesday afternoon they have received information from Dalhousie University pertaining to misogynistic Facebook comments allegedly made by fourth-year dentistry students.

Halifax Regional Police spokesperson Const. Pierre Bourdages said police are currently reviewing the material, which is tied to a Facebook group that reportedly contained violent and sexual comments made by fourth-year dentistry students about their female classmates.

Global News reported on Tuesday the university had denied a request from police to turn over unedited screenshots captured from the Facebook group,

READ MORE: Dentistry investigation should be done externally, Dalhousie senate told

A short time later, Dalhousie changes its position. Spokesperson Brian Leadbetter confirmed that senior security officials from the university would meet with police officials Wednesday to discuss the requested material.

It is not clear whether a meeting took place or how the material was given to police, but Bourdages confirmed it was what police had requested. He said police are reviewing it to see if a criminal investigation is warranted, but have not set a timeline to make the determination.

“I don’t have the information as to how it was delivered and what format it is, or when it occurred exactly, but it was provided to us earlier today,” Bourdages said. “We have the material in our possession and we are reviewing it.”

READ MORE: Restorative justice: Will it work in the Dalhousie Facebook scandal?

The 13 students tied to the “Class of DDS 2015 Gentlemen” Facebook group were suspended from clinical activities and later ordered to attend classes remotely after the nature of postings made to the group were publicized in December. The university delayed the opening of its dental clinic in January by a week as it dealt with the ongoing controversy.

With files from The Canadian Press