Relating to the establishment of a cold case investigation unit within the department of public safety

Description

Senate File 2234 establishes a Cold Case Investigation Unit within the Department of Public Safety (DPS). The Unit is tasked, within its capabilities, with conducting criminal investigations after an initial criminal investigation has been completed by law enforcement. The Unit is to focus on investigations involving unsolved murders, missing children, and missing adults presumed to be dead.

Background

Currently, no specific unit within the DPS is assigned to handle cold cases. The Major Crime Unit (MCU) of the Division of Criminal Investigation takes responsibility for investigating cold cases as time and resources allow. As of February 10, 2022, the MCU had 160 open cold cases.

Assumptions

• Due to the complex nature of cold cases, staffing the Cold Case Investigation Unit will require 2.0 Special Agent full-time equivalent (FTE) positions.
• The Department will adopt administrative rules for the Unit.

Fiscal Impact

The costs of 2.0 Special Agent FTE positions for the Cold Case Investigation Unit are shown in Table 1. Senate File 2234 is estimated to increase costs to the DPS by $292,000 in FY 2023 and by $196,000 in FY 2024. The DPS is funded through General Fund appropriations. Table 1 — Cost of 2.0 Special Agent FTE Positions, FY 2023 to FY 2024Expense FY 2023 FY 2024 Salary and Benefits 188,000$ 188,000$ Recurring Annual Costs 8,000 8,000 One-Time Equipment Costs 91,000 0 One-Time Training Costs 5,000 0 Total 292,000$ 196,000$

Source

• Department of Public Safety