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Idaho State Police asks for new investigators, forensic staff and funds shift as vacancies and caseload pressures grow
Summary
Director Colonel Bill Gardner and legislative analysts presented the Idaho State Police FY2026 budget request, seeking staff additions for fentanyl and forensic work, a $4.995 million fund shift tied to the highway distribution account, remote housing, and IT reorganizations amid regional vacancies and retention challenges.
Idaho State Police Director Colonel Bill Gardner and Legislative Services budget staff presented the division’s fiscal‑year 2026 request to the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee on Feb. 12, seeking personnel and operating changes to address rising drug caseloads, forensic workload and regional staffing shortages.
The department requested a range of enhancements: a 10‑position unit focused on fentanyl trafficking ($1,043,300); a four‑person investigations unit devoted to crimes at Idaho Department of Correction facilities ($757,300, including $314,000 one‑time for vehicles and computers); a Forensic Deputy Lab Manager (1 FTP, $118,200); and a requested transfer of $4,995,500 and 37.48 FTP tied to a planned reduction in law‑enforcement funding received from the Highway Distribution Account (HDA). Budget staff said the HDA distribution was reduced gradually after Senate Bill 1201 (2019) and that the requested shift is intended to allow patrol to maintain current operations if the…
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