Sterk Backs Special Fund For Police Money Would Be Used For Lengthy Investigations

Sat., Jan. 24, 1998

Jennifer Lange Staff writer

Money and resources for law enforcement can be spread too thin in counties consumed by lengthy criminal investigations, said Rep. Mark Sterk, R-Veradale, who wants to set up a special account for some investigations.

The Spokane police sergeant is the prime sponsor of HB2929, which would establish the “extraordinary criminal investigations assistance account” to help pay the salaries of city and county police who are working on long-term investigations.

The account would be filled with money from an additional $20 fine slapped on every felony fine, and a $10 increase in every misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor fine. The fines could not be waived or reduced under any circumstances, according to the bill.

Sterk estimated the increase in fines would provide $1 million to $2 million a year for the account. This would be enough to pay for three or four “big investigations” a year statewide, he said.

The bill would force the “bad guys” to pay for lengthy investigations, Sterk said.

Spokane Police Capt. Chuck Bown said the area’s serial murder investigation is straining department resources.

“We have pulled two major crimes detectives to investigate full time,” he said, adding that this means two employees will have to be promoted to fill their shoes.

“We have 289 officers, and you take two away and two things aren’t going to get done.”

Funding extraordinary investigations can pull especially hard on the purse strings of smaller counties, Sterk said.

Rep. Larry Sheahan, R-Rosalia, a co-sponsor of the legislation, said even one large investigation can take money and resources away from day-to-day law enforcement.

“When you take that money off the streets to focus on one case it can be a real burden on the counties,” he said.

Sterk said the measure will get a hearing in the Law and Justice Committee next week. Since the committee is chaired by Sheahan and vice-chaired by Sterk, the bill has a good chance of moving on, Sheahan said.

, DataTimes

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