The Moore County Board of Commissioners recently approved funding to establish a new forensic facility for the Sheriff’s Office, a project intended to centralize and expand the county’s investigative capabilities.
The new building will consolidate multiple forensic disciplines under one roof near the Rick Rhyne Public Safety Center to “centralize and modernize forensic operations, improve evidence security, and expand investigative capabilities.”
The commissioners made the decision after hearing the proposal from Moore County Chief Deputy Andy Conway at the Sept. 16 board meeting.
Conway told the board that forensic operations are currently limited by space constraints and reliance on outside facilities. Those conditions, he said, compromise both efficiency and the integrity of evidence.
“[Forensics technology] has been paramount on our forefront, and we’ve gotten to a point now that it’s time for us to expand,” said Conway to the commissioners. “We have limited space, and we’re needing some additional updated facilities to be able to process not only digital forensics, but physical evidence as well. This facility would be a huge upgrade for not just our county, but all the additional municipalities in the county by giving them the benefit of being able to process evidence.”
It was noted that forensic analysis is often delayed because the county must rely on the State Bureau of Investigation or, in some cases, private labs. Those options take time and carry additional costs for taxpayers.
The new facility will serve Moore County departments and assist surrounding jurisdictions. While services will be provided at no cost to in-county law enforcement, neighboring out-of-county agencies will be able to pay a fee for use.
Commissioner Chair Kurt Cook asked if building the facility will supply any new job opportunities to Moore County residents. According to Conway, the Sheriff’s Office currently employs four staff members in specialized forensic fields, including digital forensics, latent print analysis, and physical evidence processing. Staffing needs are expected to increase in line with the county’s population growth and crime caseload.
Due to funds currently being readily available for allocation, no tax increase will be needed to support the $4 million project.
“I believe law is part of the infrastructure, and this is part of the easiest infrastructure to vote on,” said Cook. “It’s very needed and very warranted as it’s doing a service for every legal, law-abiding citizen in Moore County and the surrounding counties.”
“I think in the long term, [this] will be viewed as one of the best decisions this board has ever made,” agreed Commissioner Nick Picerno.
A motion for approval was made, and the proposal passed unanimously.
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~ Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
*File photo.
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