For Immediate Release: May 16, 2012
Sen. Clark Jolley
Sen. Jolley says break down of cooler at M.E.’s office shows
critical need for new facility
State Sen. Clark
Jolley said news that the cooler had broken down at the state
medical examiner’s office was just one of many examples
of why it was crucial to move forward with plans to construct
a new facility. The breakdown meant having to transfer 28 bodies
to two refrigerated trucks.
“The cooler is more than forty years old, and a spokesperson
was hoping they could find the part they needed to repair it,”
said Jolley, R-Edmond. “I cannot imagine how distressed
my family and I would be if that was one of our loved ones. It
is important to remember that the work the M.E.’s office
does impacts people’s lives, whether it is a family looking
for answers or law enforcement looking for clues that will help
them solve a crime. We have a responsibility to ensure the accuracy
and integrity of this process with modern facilities and equipment.”
Jolley said a proposed bond package would provide the funding
necessary to construct a new facility to be located at the University
of Central Oklahoma, giving the medical examiner’s staff
access to state of the art equipment and enabling the agency to
receive national accreditation. The proposed building has been
criticized by some as an inappropriate use of bonding ability
for higher education institutions. Jolley said the facility would
in fact be an asset for the university and its students.
“When you look at the partnership between the Oklahoma State
Bureau of Investigation and UCO in developing the Forensic Science
Institute, you can see the incredible benefits it has provided
to not only forensic investigations in our state, but to students
who can now pursue a master’s degree in the field,”
Jolley said. “I believe constructing this much-needed facility
for the Medical Examiner’s office holds tremendous potential
for the public, for law enforcement and for education.”
“Given this latest problem with the M.E.’s office,
it would be a travesty if political posturing prevented Oklahoma
from being able to move forward with this greatly-needed facility,”
Jolley said.
