The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is opening a new center laboratory at Pittsburg State University. Friday's groundbreaking ceremony was well-attended by local and state law enforcement, the KBI, and past and present Kansas lawmakers.
KBI's new ‘Regional Crime Center and Laboratory’ will encompass KBI investigative and laboratory operations and regional law enforcement training. It will also help train the 110 students in PSU's Criminal Justice Education program.
Construction is set to begin next month on the $42 million project. Once finished, the facility will house the Pittsburgh Police Department and workspaces for federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Construction will end by Spring 2027.
U.S. Republican Senator Jerry Moran said this laboratory is crucial to the capability of convicting someone in a court of law.
"It's nice to see Southeast Kansas having the latest technologies to combat crime in this region and across our state," said Moran.
He thanked the numerous law enforcement officials in the audience for the challenges they face. According to him, "they're increasing, not diminishing."
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said 'This is a big moment for the region and the state.'
Staff at the facility will work on a wide variety of investigations, including theft and human trafficking, according to Kobach. The new facility will synergize different departments and practices.
"By centralizing all of these resources in one place in a really state-of-the-art facility, it makes it so easy for law enforcement to do its job in a more efficient, collaborative manner," added Kobach.
KBI Director Tony Mattivi said one of the bureau's founding principles is to support Kansas law enforcement - this new facility will 'embody that objective'
"I expect that in opening the doors of this facility to law enforcement on all levels, we will pave the way for meaningful relationships to grow," added Mattivi.
Director Mattivi thanked former President Dan Shipp "for immediately recognizing the value of this project and being a collaborative, supportive, and visionary partner in this process."
PSU's newest president Dr. Thomas Newsom, is in his first week as president and joked about former president Shipp giving him the project.
"It's interesting when you start a job as the new president of a university, and the previous president has let you inherit a multi-million dollar project that is going to change the state of Kansas," joked Newsom.
The idea for the facility started in early 2023, when KBI and Pittsburg State University began discussing the joint facility to accommodate law enforcement and students. The Kansas legislature appropriated funds in Fiscal Year 2024 for the facility.
The city of Pittsburgh helped secure and prepare the land for this project.
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