Mississippi Department Of Public Safety Requesting More Money In Budget Talks

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – The Mississippi Department of Public Safety is requesting a $46 million budget boost in the coming year.

That would pay for a variety of items, such as up-to-date Crime Lab equipment, and employees such as new state troopers and a new worker to receive bodies during nights and weekends at a Gulf Coast morgue.

Department leaders gave a detailed explanation of their wish list Thursday when they appeared before the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.

Legislators made no promises about funding, but they complimented DPS on the thorough presentation. It was a contrast to last year, when Commissioner of Public Safety Albert Santa Cruz offered few details about spending.

The Budget Committee is holding public hearings this week to start planning for fiscal 2016, which begins July 1.