Evidence handling units for Nevada County law enforcement is mostly getting praise from the Grand Jury, about five years after issuing a very critical report. One of the biggest remaining concerns, in a report released this week, is about having Nevada City Police officers also being evidence technicians and taking away from patrol time. But Chief Tim Foley says, as also mentioned in the report, that his department is seeking to hire a non-sworn employee or volunteer to handle those duties…

click to listen to Chief Foley

Foley says he’s actually been looking at removing officers from evidence responsibilities since he took over as chief about 2 and a half years ago…

click to listen to Chief Foley

The Grand Jury also recommends that consolidating the Grass Valley and Nevada City Police Department’s evidence handling units should be considered again. Foley says he’s open to the idea and is interested in discussing it with Grass Police Chief Alex Gammelgard. Otherwise, the report says all four units in Nevada County are adequately staffed, well-trained, and diligent in their work.