11/03/09 - Madison and Gibson Counties

By: Brad Douglass
bdouglass@wbbjtv.com
7:28 p.m.
 
The governor's call for the TBI to cut $4 million from its budget could soon have reaching effects into local police departments statewide. 
 
The TBI said its only options are to either lay off 50 to 80 employees, or to charge police departments to analyze evidence. It could charge $20 per exhibit and $100 for DNA evidence, which could cost the Jackson Police Department as much as $7,000 a year. Also, toxicology reports would increase to $250. 
 
"If they come into court, contest it, plead guilty, we'd be required to send it in at that time, said Chief Tim Wright with the Milan Police Department. "That would add some time, whatever processing time they had to take to court proceedings."  
 
State legislators will vote on the proposal in January, and if it is approved it could go into effect next July.