The proposed crime-lab merger for Omaha and Douglas County makes eminent sense.
Having the Omaha Police Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office end the duplication of lab facilities is a logical way for local government to seek efficiencies and cost savings. And the need for such efficiencies is great, given the continuing budget pressures on the city and county budgets.
Plus, one theme for the 2012 session of the Nebraska Legislature will be the search for government innovation, including merger and related options. Several state leaders have made plain that, politically, the state won’t allow communities to vote on a possible half-cent increase in the local sales tax unless local government demonstrates the willingness to embrace more efficiencies.
The merger of the crime labs is such a sensible step that the majority of the Douglas County Board is expressing support for the idea. Even Board Chairwoman Mary Ann Borgeson, who has never been an eager proponent of merger proposals, says merging the two crime labs is the right move.
Achieving the merger is no easy task, though. Both the Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office are professional-minded organizations understandably desirous of defending their institutional prerogatives. There comes a time, though, when justifiable defense of one’s jurisdiction threatens to devolve into counterproductive turf protection.
Hence the need for a respected figure who can mediate fairly and effectively between the two partners. Someone, that is, like County Attorney Don Kleine.
Kleine has voiced his strong support for merger and has shown that he’s given serious thought to some of the main obstacles. Best of all, he has indicated a readiness to promote constructive dialogue and seek a resolution on this issue.
Given the goodwill of the various parties and the determination of county leaders to move on this issue, the chances appear good for a resolution that can serve the best interests of all involved. This is a merger that definitely needs to happen.
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