Mayor Karl Dean today got a preview tour of the police department’s first ever full-service DNA crime laboratory which is scheduled to officially open next month at 400 Myatt Drive in Madison. The 82,500 square foot building will also be the new home for the Madison Precinct.
“Having our own crime lab is a game changer for public safety in our city,” Mayor Dean said. “This state-of-the-art facility will greatly enhance our investigative capabilities. We’ll be able to test DNA for not only violent crimes, which we do through the state now, but also property crimes. We’ll also be able to process DNA quicker, which means getting serial offenders off the street before they have a chance to commit more crimes. Our police force has worked hard to bring crime rates down, and, now, with the crime lab soon to open, Nashville will become an even safer city.”
Leading today’s tour were Chief Steve Anderson, Madison Precinct Commander Sebastian Gourdin and Laboratory Quality Assurance Manager Ann Talbot.
“There is no doubt that this facility and the talented scientists who we have hired will significantly enhance Nashville’s public safety for decades to come,” Chief Anderson said. “Additionally, I know that the men and women of the Madison Precinct are extremely excited about their new workplace, as are the citizens of Madison who will be able to use the new and very impressive precinct community room for neighborhood meetings.”
The total cost of the lab and precinct project, including design, construction, furniture and equipment, is $40 million.