The Washoe County Sheriff's Office Forensic Science Division provides full forensic services to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. The Division is a full-service forensic laboratory staffed by more than 40 individuals in sworn and civilian capacities. The Division provides investigative support with a full-service crime unit. The scientific disciplines consist of DNA, Toxicology, Controlled Substances, Firearms and limited trace evidence analysis.  The Breath Alcohol Section also proves support for the breath alcohol instruments across Northern Nevada.

The City began contracting forensic services with Washoe County in 1988 when the Washoe County Sheriff's Office first opened the crime lab.  The service agreement has been renewed yearly, or in several cases on multiple year terms since the first agreement in 1988.  The initial agreements called for annual increases not to exceed 3% each year.  The cost of forensic services, especially in the field of DNA technology, increased more rapidly than the contract allowed for.  New terms have historically been negotiated between the Sparks Chief of Police and the Washoe County Sheriff.  In an effort to make up difference between actual costs and billed costs, former Sparks Police Chief Keefer negotiated with Washoe County Sheriff Haley a fixed dollar amount increase of $35,000 per year.  Costs continued to outpace increases and the amount was re-negotiated between Sparks Chief Allen and Washoe County Sheriff Allen at an annual increase of $50,000.

Washoe County has experienced increased costs associated with operating the Crime Lab. According to a February 4, 2020 letter our use of the Crime Lab for a 3 year average is 16.24% of the work produced by the lab. Their total budget is $5,447,761.

Currently, the City of Reno has a shared services agreement dating back to 1990, so they do not receive a bill from the Sheriff's Office for Forensic Servies per se. This entire process is intended to bring transparency and equity to this process and service so that all parties involved would be contributing appropriately.

The Sparks Police Department does not maintain a forensic science division/section/unit.  Costs to establish a full service lab would be prohibitively high.  The Washoe County Sheriff's Office Forensic Science Division performs evidence collection and laboratory analysis for an array of services.  These services are many times required as "call outs" from the Sparks Police Detective Section on a 24/7 basis. The Forensic Science Division is commonly requested by Sparks Police Detectives for homicides, sexual assaults, child abuse or death, child sexual assault, suspicious deaths, shootings, stabbings, officer involved shootings, traffic accidents involving death or significant injuries, or any major felony.  Officers also submit for DNA analysis on a variety of property crime cases such as residential and/or vehicle burglary. Further, expert testimony regarding these services and laboratory results by Washoe County staff are required in court for the successful prosecution of these critical cases.

The service provided by the Washoe County Forensic Science Division is mission critical to the efficient operation of the Sparks Police Department.

1. Council may approve the renewal of this agreement as submitted.

2. Council may deny the renewal and provide further direction to the City Manager.

I move to approve the renewal of Forensic Support Services Agreement (AC-5583) with the Washoe County Sheriff's Office and ratify the $689,500 expenditure.