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Police seek to buy TrueNarc handheld analyzer with Missouri opioid settlement funds
Summary
Belton police proposed purchasing a TrueNarc handheld analyzer to speed field identification of suspected controlled substances; staff said the device could be purchased with the city’s opioid‑settlement allocation and would aid timely charging and diversion to treatment.
Belton police presented a request to buy a TrueNarc handheld field analyzer that uses laser spectroscopy to identify suspected controlled substances in the field and generate a printout prosecutors will accept for in‑custody charging.
Staff told council the device — manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific — performs non‑destructive, on‑scene analysis and can help officers and detectives rapidly identify substances such as fentanyl. Detective Jeff Richardson said agencies in the area borrow similar equipment but availability is limited; having a local device would let Belton file timely in‑custody charges and facilitate diversion to treatment or pretrial supervision rather than waiting months for lab results.
City staff and the police recommended funding the purchase from the city’s allocation of Missouri opioid settlement funds. The city’s allocation is $56,910; staff presented a purchase price of $31,994.20 for the analyzer plus a five‑year service warranty for $8,400, for a total of $40,394.20. Staff described the purchase as a sole‑source procurement made through a Missouri state purchasing contract.
Council members asked about alternative funding sources and lab capacity. Staff said drug forfeiture balances were exhausted and that a budget amendment would be required to use general funds; they also said opioid settlement funds had been held pending an allowable use. Staff and detectives argued the device’s timely field results would improve prosecution, allow faster linkage to treatment and reduce reoffending while protecting responders from handling hazardous substances.
The presentation closed with discussion of certification to operate the device and the operational need for more timely substance identification; no final vote on the purchase was recorded in the transcript excerpt of the meeting.
