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Public safety agencies seek new regional BCA labs and consolidated State Patrol headquarters; funding source sparks debate
Summary
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension asked lawmakers for new regional labs in Mankato and Bemidji and the Minnesota State Patrol requested a consolidated metro headquarters. Construction and funding figures were presented, and several senators objected to using trunk-highway funds for the patrol headquarters.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Officials from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety told the Senate Capital Investment Committee on Jan. 28 they need new regional laboratory capacity and improved State Patrol facilities to keep pace with growing digital evidence and testing demands, while a proposal to use trunk-highway funds for a new State Patrol headquarters drew objections.
Why it matters: DPS said evidence volume, drug testing, and digital forensics have risen sharply and require specialized laboratory space. Lawmakers must weigh those capital needs alongside competing demands for bonding and trunk-highway cash.
Commissioner Bob Jacobson, Superintendent Drew Evans of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Colonel Christina Bojosevic of the Minnesota State Patrol presented the agency’s requests.…
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