State crime labs close due to budget cuts

RUSSELLVILLE, AL (WAFF) - The closure of state crime labs means some departments will have to spend big bucks to drive evidence to Huntsville and it could lead to a big time backlog.

The Russellville Police Chief said time is definitely not on his department's side after the state closed a crime lab in Florence due to budget cuts.

"When we make drug arrests or when we make an arrest and subsequently and find drugs and depending on if we have to charge that person with a crime, we have to take that evidence to the crime lab and they do an analysis on it," said Chris Hargett, Russellville Police Chief.

Hargett said that means what used to take 30 minutes to Huntsville now, has turned into an all day event.

"Just the expenses; gas expense, the time frame, having to sit there and wait your turn," added Chief Hargett.

Hargett said all the Shoals Department will have to make the trip and that translates to a back log not only to get evidence back.

"That's when the court system comes into play because if it is scheduled for a trial and you don't have your analysis then they're going to have to postpone the trial until you get that back," said Chief Hargett.

The chief said his department is still trying to figure out the most efficient way to do things. However, the move that was supposed to cut costs for the state is forcing Shoals Police Departments to find more money in their budgets.

Hargett said some of the bigger departments won't struggle as much but, small departments with only a few people on staff will have to pay someone overtime to make the trip and that can add up quickly in any budget.

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