Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves purchase of Raman spectrometer for sheriff’s office using opioid settlement funds
Summary
The Cass County Commission approved Resolution 25-74 to buy a Raman spectrometer (identified in the meeting as a Tranarc/TruNarc Delta device) for the sheriff’s office using opioid settlement funds; staff said the existing unit is broken and the device helps identify dangerous substances such as fentanyl and carfentanil without opening packaging.
The Cass County Commission on July 16 approved Resolution 25-74, authorizing the sheriff’s office to purchase a Raman spectrometer (referred to in the meeting as a Tranarc Delta device and a Raman spectrometer) using opioid settlement funds.
A sheriff’s office presenter explained the device can identify chemical compounds through packaging using a laser, which reduces officer exposure to fentanyl and other opioids. The presenter said the county previously possessed one unit for about five years that is now broken and no longer connects to a computer for printing results. The presenter recounted that two or three years ago the county helped Raymore Police Department identify carfentanil (described in the meeting as an “elephant tranquilizer”) using the device.
The presenter said the newer device is faster and can identify more substances; the sheriff’s office requested the purchase through opioid settlement funds. Commissioners recorded a motion and second and voted 3–0 in favor of the purchase.
No purchase price or vendor was provided during the meeting record. The presenter noted that the device allows testing through packaging (for example, through a plastic pill bottle or bag) and reduces officers’ risk of exposure to hazardous substances.
