googleman,
I really have no idea about the way Buffalo works ! they even do not follow the instructions in CIC website regarding the time, procedures...and so forth.
For example, asking me to submit a police clearance from canada means literally in CIC website that this step should not be taken before the processing starts. since it says clearly in the OP6 that the admissibility documents should not stop the processing of an application, instead, they can be asked in a later stage after the processing begins.
The second point, i do not know where is the logic of opening any file after sending the AOR by 7 months if they are not going to process it now, just to search for the Canadian police clearance ! it does not make any sense because this certificate will be very old if they start the processing after one year from asking for it ! and who even bother at the visa office to open the application and check whether there is a police clearance from canada with the submitted documents or not or whether this person needs a police clearance from canada or not if the processing has not begun yet !
The RCMP fingerprint clearance takes only one day to be processed and sent to Buffalo (i knew these information because i emailed the RCMP asking about the status of my fingerprint application and they replied next day saying that my fingerprint were processed at the same day and the results were sent to Buffalo on the day after), so it took only one day. Therefore what is the point of asking for that document which takes only 1 day if they have not started processing the application !