Representatives of the Law Enforcement Supervisors Union and the territorial police chief have met to discuss the complaints of the forensics unit about working conditions.
LESU President Al Donsatorg said the complaints were registered and the response of the police commissioner was as anticipated.
"In the final analysis, the territorial chief admitted that he was limited in what he could do at his level," Donastorg said, noting that the chief's finding would be turned over to Commissioner Franz Christian for final action.
"We are looking forward to the commissioner's response which is expected five days from the hearing," he said.
The story of the forensics unit is not a new one to the government. Officers were supposed to occupy the space at the former Territorial Court building, but Donastorg says that was six years ago.
"They have provided detailed reports from 1997 about the problems at the facility," Donastorg said after the meeting. "The only remedy is for the forensics unit to be relocated from the building across from Vendor's Plaza."
The supervisors union president said it has been especially disturbing to learn that federal grant funds have been available, and could have been used to provide decent working space for the forensics unit and other purposes, but not have been.
"We have to get to the bottom of this snag which is delaying the monies that are available to address the needs of the Police Department," Donastorg added.
He said he was told that only one-third of the monies are earmarked for forensics; the remainder has been allotted for the 911 communications system for software upgrades.
Donastorg said the mood at the meeting this week was amicable but the commissioner's response will determine how much progress has been made.
The Source first reported this week that officers of the forensics unit moved out of the office space and assumed offices at the Emancipation Garden as a result of unsafe working conditions.
