DUSON, LA — The Duson Police Department has unveiled its first-ever evidence room, marking a significant step in improving the organization and security of crucial criminal case evidence. The new facility, designed to store and manage various types of evidence, is expected to enhance the department’s operational efficiency while ensuring the integrity of criminal investigations.
The evidence room, which was completed in 2024, is equipped to handle a wide range of materials, from narcotics seized in drug busts to items collected in armed robbery arrests. Chief Kip Judice emphasized the importance of the new space, calling it a vital investment for the department. “To be able to have a self-contained evidence container, an evidence room, an evidence building, is a big deal in order to provide a safe work environment for your staff,” Judice stated.
Although crime rates have decreased over the past year, the department has faced an increase in evidence storage needs due to court backlogs. The delays in processing cases have resulted in evidence being held for extended periods, with some items dating back as far as 2001. This backlog has created challenges for the department in managing the growing volume of stored evidence.
The new evidence room, which cost $65,000 to construct, was largely funded by state grants. Judice highlighted the advanced security features of the room, including a high-tech barcode system that tracks the storage and removal of evidence. This system is designed to ensure that every piece of evidence is accounted for, maintaining the integrity of ongoing investigations and ensuring that cases are handled with the highest standards of security.
“Evidence is extremely critical,” Judice noted. “It can prove someone’s guilt or, just as importantly, someone’s innocence. The integrity of the evidence we hold is vital to ensuring justice is served.”
The introduction of the evidence room comes at a crucial time for the department, as it continues to manage both the challenges of delayed trials and the need for secure storage solutions. With the new facility in place, the Duson Police Department is poised to better serve the community and uphold justice with greater efficiency and accuracy.