Regional crime lab receives grant totaling $499,322

A nearly half-million-dollar federal grant will fund renovations to the Southeast Missouri Regional Crime Lab to enhance firearms analysis and provide space for the local law enforcement academy.

Southeast Missouri State University officials and U.S. Sen. Kit Bond announced the $499,322 grant on Wednesday.

Pam Johnson, director of the crime lab at 122 S. Ellis in Cape Girardeau, said the university will renovate unfinished space at the south end of the crime lab for the law enforcement academy.

The law enforcement academy currently is housed in Academic Hall.

The academy's firearms training simulator is housed in Pacific Hall. The academy only uses it on nights and weekends because it is noisy, said academy director Mike Brown. Nearby classrooms can hear the simulation of shots being fired, sirens and people yelling.

"I'm really looking forward to having a permanent home," he said.

Space for academy

Brown hopes to start holding classes in the new 6,318-square-foot space beginning next spring.

The academy space will include a weapons training simulator, a classroom, a defensive tactics area and an automotive bay where police trainees can learn stop-and-search techniques.

The crime lab also will use the automotive bay to inspect vehicles for crime-scene evidence.

Johnson said the improvements will move the lab a step closer to national accreditation.

The regional crime lab, once housed in an old house on campus, moved into renovated quarters in a former warehouse on Ellis Street in 2003.