Graham County Attorney Kenneth Angle is excited about a new member of his team who will expedite his office's ability to prosecute cases and reduce the workload for understaffed law enforcement agencies.

The Graham County Board of Supervisors approved the county attorney's request to hire a new investigator on Monday under the condition that he will not use taxpayers' general fund money. The position will be funded with bad check funds and confiscated money.

Board chairman Jim Palmer said Angle has accumulated money from the funds for several years just to pay for the position.

Supervisor Mark Herring-ton said he is happy to see criminals funding a position that will help prosecution efforts.

To effectively prosecute some of the cases turned over to the county attorney, Angle's office has had to request the county's law enforcement agencies to conduct additional investigations. The county has about thirty cases that could use the help of the investigator.

Conducting follow-up investigations during daily patrol shifts is often a challenge facing smaller law enforcement agencies, Angle said.

"At times, it is difficult for the local agencies to perform follow-up investigations," he said. "Sometimes we are unable to prosecute a case because a full investigation has not been completed. An investigator would be available to assist local law enforcement and to enhance their work."

Angle said the investigator's presence will especially help smaller agencies, such as the Pima Police Department.

"A lot of times we can't find a witness," Angle said. "They (police) spend hours and hours chasing down a witness or suspect."

By creating the position, department officers will be able to dedicate more time to their everyday patrols.

"It saves the agencies a lot of time and expense from having to do the follow-up," he said.

The investigator will also improve the county's ability to meet prosecution deadlines.

"Speed is of great importance," Angle said. "We have certain timelines we have to follow. If an investigator from another case is not available, we've got to follow up quickly."

The investigator will also help interview witnesses, freeing up more time for Angle's attorneys. If the investigator feels compelled to, that person will also be able to assist the county's drug task force.

"We're going to try to give them some flexibility," Angle said. "There's not going to be a lack of work for this investigator at all."

He hopes to hire an experienced investigator with at least five years of law enforcement experience by July 1.

To contact John Kamin, call 428-2560 (ext. 240) or e-mail him at johnk@eacourier.com.