A ThermoQuest Trace GC 2000 gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. CC_Wikimedia: Polimerek
The Newark (Ohio) Police Department's chief has proposed hiring a chemist to test drugs confiscated by the agency instead of hiring a police officer to fill an open sworn position.
Chief Steve Sarver proposed the idea after the superintendent with Ohio's Bureau of Criminal Investigation proposed giving the agency a $60,000 gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer to better identify chemicals. The equipment could be made available if the department had a trained chemist to operate it, reports the Columbus Dispatch.
The position would cost $40,000 a year.
