H.C.S.O. Crime Lab

NOT ONLY AS A CITIZEN, BUT ALSO AS A FORMER HAMBURG CITY COUNCIL MEMBER AS WELL,

I NEVER CEASE TO BE AMAZED AT THE 'SHORTSIGHTEDNESS' AND STUPIDITY OF SOME

ELECTED, AND OTHER, CITY, COUNTY, STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS !!

This time it's

TWO HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

who think they know more about 'policing' and Law Enforcement than

HENNEPIN COUNTY'S CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER; SHERIFF RICH STANEK.

Hennepin County Commissioners LINDA HIGGINS & MARION GREEN Want To

REMOVE THE HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CRIME LABORATORY

From The Jurisdiction Of The

HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Most of the following information was authored by a former Hennepin County Sheriff's Deputy

and it's VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION that I totally AGREE with........

One of the two Hennepin County Commissioners seeking to take the Crime Lab away from the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is Hennepin County Commissioner Linda Higgins, (who, by the way, has no idea what she is talking about) and has proposed that the Board recreates something that currently works extremely well and is not broken.

She is almost indicating that the Board should restructure a cheaper forensic services system as a lower quality, dollar store functionality then from the best Sheriff’s Office CSI’s, investigators and Lab Services in the five state area.

I would even bet she has not conducted her due diligence County Wide or that she has never even stepped into or personally examined the HCSO Crime Lab Functions and Operations. Here is her canned response:

“Regionalization of crime lab services has been studied three-plus times in the past twenty years, most recently in 2010 and 2016. Both of those studies, conducted by national experts, suggest that the county partner with Minneapolis to expand taxpayer-paid criminal lab services, and to ensure independent expertise, much like the independence of the county's nation-leading regional medical examiner. The timing is right because both Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis are poised to replace two outdated facilities. This policy decision is happening like other county policy considerations: the board brings it forward after significant analysis, discusses it publicly with evaluation of other points of view, and a decision is made in a public meeting which can be watched on MCN Channel 6 and streamed live. The Hennepin County board takes seriously all the decisions we make on behalf of county residents. We work hard to consider all factors, to make the best decisions possible.”

This is sickening and a load of composed garbage.

Here's a link to more information on KSTP-TV's Website: http://kstp.com/news/sheriff-rich-stanek-pushes-back-on-proposed-changes-to-hennepin-county-crime-lab-management/4692596/?cat=1

The division is called the HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CRIME LAB; not the Hennepin County Crime Lab; that's an IMPORTANT DISTINCTION !!

Please support Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek in retaining jurisdiction of his department's Crime Lab. Contact the Hennepin County Commissioners that are attempting this irresponsible action and tell them that their concept is seriously flawed and makes absolutely no sense at all !! Here is their contact information:

The year 2016 was a record year for opioid-related deaths in Hennepin County. We experienced 153 opioid-related deaths - a 39% increase over 2015. The State of Minnesota experienced 402 opioid-related deaths during 2016.

For this reason, Sheriff Rich Stanek and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office launched a drug abuse prevention campaign called #NOverdose. As part of the campaign, the Sheriff’s Office has partnered with school-parent organizations, law enforcement agencies, elected officials, businesses, and health & community organizations to assist educating the community about current drug dangers, trends and prevention.

For more information, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

To learn how to properly dispose of unused drugs,

PLEASE CLICK HERE.

RICH STANEK

HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF

THE RESPONSIBILITY AND SUCCESSFUL SOLVING OF CRIMES

IN HENNEPIN COUNTY BELONG WITH THE

COUNTY'S CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL

SHERIFF RICH STANEK

A PROFESSIONAL, CAREER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

NOT WITH SOME POLITICIANS WHO ARE WHO ARE UNAWARE AND

UNFAMILIAR WITH THIS VERY IMPORTANT DIVISION OF THE

HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE !!

Thank You For Visiting My Webpage About The

HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CRIME LAB

My Interview With Scott Giles, The Director Of The

HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CRIME LAB

Will Provide You With Important Information About This Crutial Division Of The

HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

And Explain The

CRITICALLY IMPORTANT ROLE

They Play In Assisting Police & Fire Departments In ALL Of

MINNESOTA'S MOST POPULATED COUNTY.

Please Click On The Audio Control Below To Hear My Interview With

CRIME LAB DIRECTOR OF SERVICES SCOTT GILES

Explaining Function & Services Of The

AWARD WINNING LAW ENFORCEMENT FORENSIC DEPARTMENT

And Their VITAL SERVICE THAT THE

HENNEPIN COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE CRIME LAB

Provides To Police Departments & Citizens Alike In Hennepin County.

Commissioner Marion Greene

[email protected]

A2400 Government Center

300 South 6th Street

Minneapolis, MN 55487

Phone: 612-348-7883

Commissioner Linda Higgins

[email protected]

A-2400 Government Center

300 South 6th Street

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55487

Phone: 612-348-7882

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE ELECTED COMMISSIONERS OF HENNEPIN COUNTY

December 5, 2017

Dear Hennepin County Commissioners:

I am aware of a proposed action to remove the Hennepin County Sheriff's Crime Laboratory from the (rightful) jurisdiction of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office to another, non-law enforcement department of Hennepin County.

This proposed action is improper, impractical and, among having other deleterious effects, will cause unacceptable, serious delays in response to calls for their service to the forty-four cities and thirty-five Police Departments in Hennepin County that rely on the Hennepin County Sheriff's Crime Laboratory to assist them.

Judging from the 'swiftness' (and apparent secrecy) in which this proposed action has suddenly appeared without any prior warning or discussion, it is apparent that this proposed action is a 'political' move rather than being carefully 'thought through'.

Such a proposed action is something of which there will be 'grave consequences' including, but not limited to, increased response times, lessening of 'investigative services' currently available to Law Enforcement agencies in Hennepin County, a breach of the current 'bond' between the Sheriff's Department's Deputies and Law Enforcement Officers throughout Hennepin County; an important component NECESSARY in the prevention and solving crimes committed within the county and bringing to justice, those persons responsible.

Additionally, an increase in crimes against Hennepin County residents is certain to increase throughout the county should this proposed action be allowed to take place.

The pertinent and true facts are that the Hennepin County Sheriff's Crime Laboratory is a well managed, well run, effective INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED organization. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Crime Laboratory has an EXCELLENT RELATIONSHIP with ALL of the 44 cities and 35 Police Departments it serves within Hennepin County.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Crime Laboratory in particular, and the ENTIRE Hennepin County Sheriff's Office as a whole, has an EXCELLENT working relationship with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Minneapolis Office of the F.B.I, the Minnesota State Patrol, the Minneapolis Police Department, other Hennepin County agencies, including the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, the Department of Emergency Preparedness, Hennepin County Public Works and all of the many Fire Departments in Hennepin County.

In summary, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Crime Laboratory, as well as all of the other divisions of the Sheriff's Office, are all working like a 'well oiled machine' under the direction and guidance of Sheriff Rich Stanek; a well qualified, experienced, career professional and nationally recognized expert in Law Enforcement and it's related fields.

This proposed action is nothing more than 'someone' looking for a 'solution' to a 'problem' that doesn't exist.

ANYBODY who initiates, or supports, ANY action to delay, or interrupt, the existing 'smooth flow' of delivery of ANY of the Sheriff's Departments services to Hennepin County residents an/or the other Public Service agencies that serve and that are paid with Taxpayer dollars, surely doesn't fully understand the major consequences of the proposed action, and certainly is NOT acting in the best interests of those voters that elected them to office.

"If it's not 'broke', don't 'fix' it !'

I respectfully request and urge each of you to REFUSE to support the transfer of jurisdiction of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Crime Laboratory from the Hennepin County Sheriff's Department to any other Hennepin County agency or department.

Sincerely,

Richard Odoms

150 Jacob Street

Hamburg, Minnesota 55339

(612) 460-8212

E-mail address: [email protected]

Do YOU Have A Comment Or Concern That You'd Like To Share With Me About This Issue?

PLEASE SEND THEM TO ME at [email protected]

THANKS !!

PLEASE SUPPORT

HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF

RICH STANEK

The Hennepin County Board Of Commissioners Is Attempting To REMOVE The HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S CRIME LABORATORY

From The Jurisdiction Of The

HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

To NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT RELATED Hennepin County Administration.

To See Sheriff Stanek's Informative Video Opposing The Proposed Change

PLEASE CLICK HERE

Please Scroll Down To See The Drastic Impact This Proposed Change Would Have On Hennepin County's 44 Cities, 35 Police Departments & 1.23 MILLION Residents !!

This coming Tuesday, December 12th at 1:30 p.m., the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners will make a final vote on a proposal to change the management of the Crime Lab.

This change, that was not discussed with any law enforcement agencies or city leaders, will have a drastic impact on the public safety services that the Sheriff's Office and 44 cities in Hennepin County provide to residents. If this proposal passes, the Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigators will lose their international accreditation, which creates uncertainties ranging from evidence chain of custody protocols, to evidence storage and security issues, just to name a few. The lack of accreditation could also lead to increased operating costs and fewer services provided to our local police departments.

We believe we are just one vote away from stopping this proposal. You can help with this effort by sharing this video and calling, emailing or talking with Commissioners Debbie Goettel, Peter McLaughlin, Linda Higgins, and Marion Greene to explain why this proposal is not in the best interest of Hennepin County.

If you have any questions about this issue, please contact my office by sending an email to [email protected].

Sincerely,

Richard W. Stanek,

Hennepin County Sheriff

To See Sheriff Stanek's Video OPPOSING

The Proposed Change To Remove The Hennepin County Sheriff's Crime Lab

From The Jurisdiction Of The

Sheriff's Office To County Administration,

PLEASE CLICK HERE

Dear Friends and public safety advocates,

This coming Tuesday, December 12th at 1:30 p.m., the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners will make a final vote on a proposal to change the management of the Crime Lab. This change, that was not discussed with any law enforcement agencies or city leaders, will have a drastic impact on the public safety services that the Sheriff's Office and 44 cities in Hennepin County provide to residents. If this proposal passes, the Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigators will lose their international accreditation, which creates uncertainties ranging from evidence chain of custody protocols, to evidence storage and security issues, just to name a few. The lack of accreditation could also lead to increased operating costs and fewer services provided to our local police departments.

You can help support this important public safety resource by calling your County Commissioner (contact info available by clicking here) or attending the County Board meeting this Tuesday.

Hennepin County Commissioner's Board Room

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at 1:30 p.m

A-2400 Hennepin County Government Center

300 South 6th St., Minneapolis, MN 55487

The below video provides additional information about the proposal and what is being done to defeat it.

If you have any questions about this issue, please contact my office by sending an email to [email protected].

Sincerely,

Rich

Richard W. Stanek, Hennepin County Sheriff

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office will remain in charge of the Hennepin County Crime Lab after a county commissioner withdrew her amendment to change the crime lab's management.

At a Hennepin County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, Commissioner Marion Greene backed off on her proposal to put county administrators in charge of the crime lab, which is responsible for processing evidence for 44 cities in Hennepin County. The proposal had drawn criticism from Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek and other law enforcement officials, who argued the change could jeopardize investigations and lead to slower evidence processing.

At their December 12, 2017 County Board Meeting, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners voted 7-0 to withdraw Commissioner Greene’s budget amendment for a County Administration takeover of the Crime Lab during the County Board meeting.

The amendment was first introduced two weeks ago without discussion or input from Sheriff's Office, or the 44 cities and 35 local police departments that utilize the Crime Lab's services. Since learning of the amendment, law enforcement leaders, police officers, deputies, union representatives, elected officials, and community members bombarded the Commissioners with letters, emails, and phone calls to voice their opposition to the amendment and object to the lack of transparency about the proposal.

Shortly after the vote, Sheriff Stanek, joined by dozens of area law enforcement officers, including personnel from the Crime Lab, and community stakeholders, held a brief press conference to share his reaction.

To see that brief press conference PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW.