'TIME IS RIGHT' FOR CRIME LAB PROJECT.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

After years of promises and delays, a Los Angeles city panel on Monday urged that final action be taken so that a new crime lab can be constructed that will be used by both the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office.

The City Council's Public Safety Committee urged that quick approval be sought of a joint powers authority between the two police agencies and California State University, Los Angeles, where the $96 million facility would be built for the more sophisticated DNA testing now being done of evidence from crime scenes.

``It seems to me that the time is right to move ahead,'' said Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, who chairs the panel. ``The state of our crime lab has been a concern since the county grand jury issued a report on the problems in 1998.''

The original plan for a joint crime lab was contained in a March 2000 bond measure rejected by voters that would have created a series of regional facilities around the state. However, because it had such overwhelming support in Los Angeles, Gov. Gray Davis and the state Legislature agreed to set aside $96 million to build a facility in this region.

Under the terms of the joint powers agreement, the county would hire architects and advance any funds needed to be reimbursed by the state. The local jurisdiction will not have to repay the money.

Officials hope for groundbreaking within two years.

The Police Department and Sheriff's Office will have their own operations at the facility, and they expect to share some of the more expensive equipment needed.

``We will be looking to work together as much as we can, but both agencies have their own requirements on chain of evidence and making sure no cases are jeopardized,'' said Peter DiCarlo, an LAPD administrator.

The LAPD will continue to maintain its own facility for other crime lab needs, such as photography and the like, DiCarlo said.

As part of the crime lab, criminology students at CSLA will be able to use it for instruction and training.

Former City Controller Rick Tuttle, in June, urged that immediate action be taken or the city and county would run the risk of driving up costs with any delays.

District Attorney Steve Cooley also has been urging prompt approval of the agreement because of the higher demands for DNA test results in criminal cases.