Idaho State Police request new troopers, fentanyl team and forensic staff as vacancies strain coverage

The Idaho State Police requested a range of budget enhancements for fiscal year 2026 and outlined ongoing staffing shortages during a Feb. 12 Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee hearing.

Colonel Bill Gardner, director of the Idaho State Police, and Noah Peterson, a budget policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, presented the division’s requests and performance context. Peterson described multiple enhancement items and fund shifts; Gardner emphasized operational strain in regions with high vacancy rates and recounted recent large drug seizures tied to targeted interdiction efforts.

Major enhancement requests and items presented by Peterson included a "combat the use of fentanyl" enhancement that adds 10 FTP and $1,043,300 to create a dedicated interdiction unit; conversion of contract forensic scientists to full‑time staff; retention pay increases for forensic staff and dispatchers; and a requested transfer of $4,995,500 and 37.48 FTP tied to changes in the Highway Distribution Account (HDA) fund flows. Peterson said the HDA changes trace to Senate Bill 1201 of 2019 and earlier reductions to the law enforcement fund distribution that culminate in the 2026 shift request.

On investigative staffing, ISP requested a 4‑person Special Investigations Unit focused on Idaho Department of Correction facilities (1 detective sergeant and 3 detectives) at a total…