The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners has agreed to support the formation of a program that will add personnel to the St. Joseph County Area Narcotics unit.
The decision was made Tuesday at the request of Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite, who said the initiative will involve training and bringing on to the SCAN unit one officer from the Three Rivers Police Department and one from the Sturgis force.
Lillywhite said methamphetamine production and distribution will be the focus of the enhanced SCAN unit during what will be a three-year program. County commissioners are expected to commit more than $300,000 to fund the enhanced SCAN unit.
Lillywhite said the plan is endorsed by Prosecutor John McDonough and judges Paul Stutesman and Jeff Middleton.
He expects the enhanced SCAN unit to start its work in October.