NEW ACQUISITION BELONGS TO BENTON PD

Police will share evidence vehicle

A pricey evidence collection vehicle unveiled by the Benton Police Department will be available to a number of Saline County law enforcement agencies.

The vehicle was purchased largely with federal funds. Benton received a $99,950 Department of Justice grant written by Lt. Scotty Hodges. Another $32,000 in state capital improvement money was secured to both complete the purchase and provide funding for operation and maintenance costs.

The vehicle, purchased from Sirchie Finger Print Laboratories Inc., will enable authorities to detect, preserve and collect all types of evidence critical to investigations, Lane said.

Features include indoor, outdoor and portable lighting; a generator; and an advanced supply of medical supplies.

“This equipment will enable investigators to handle crime scenes without delay in any kind of weather conditions, day or night,” Lane said.

In addition, Lane said, the vehicle can be used during natural disasters and other emergencies.

“The vehicle will function as a command post for rescue operations,” the chief said. “It will also be used as a public relations tool to allow our officers to easily interact with the public about its operation.

“Saline County law enforcement agencies have a great working relationship with each other and often work joint operations and events,” Lane added. “Both Benton and Bryant police and the sheriff’s office have full-time detectives and investigators on staff. A number of them from each agency are state-certified advanced crime scene technicians, and they will be the primary operators of the vehicle.”

Officers with all three agencies have signed a memorandum of understanding on use of the vehicle, Lane said, but those will not be the only agencies with access to the vehicle. The Alexander, Bauxite, Haskell and Shannon Hills police departments will be able to use the vehicle upon request, he said.

The vehicle will be stored at the Benton Police Department.

Lane said state funding was acquired with the help of Rep. Barbara Nix, D-Benton; Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant; and Benton Mayor Rick Holland.