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Sheriff seeks state support for crime labs, helicopters and multi‑agency task forces
Summary
Sheriff Bouchard told the oversight subcommittee that Oakland County’s crime lab, helicopter fleet and multi‑agency enforcement teams serve regional needs but face funding and aging equipment shortfalls and urged state grants and support for deconfliction systems such as HIDA and forfeiture tools.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard told the oversight subcommittee that county crime‑lab capacity, helicopter and drone assets and multi‑agency task forces are being used regionally but are underfunded and aging.
Bouchard said his crime lab analyzes evidence for multiple jurisdictions and described an increased workload tied to emerging synthetics. He asked for state support in the form of funding to replace aging helicopters, to sustain drone and crime‑lab capabilities used across jurisdictions, and to back cooperative task forces.
He suggested state support for deconfliction tools and high‑intensity drug trafficking programs (HIDTA) and described how civil forfeiture, when used under strengthened oversight rules, can help trace and reclaim proceeds to fund enforcement and investigative work. He also described operational benefits of a regional approach to investigations and urged continued federal partner handoffs when cases cross state or national lines.
Ending: Committee members acknowledged the resource needs; Bouchard reiterated requests for grants and state funding to support regional capabilities.
