OSBI Concerned Over Staffing Amid New Mandates

Thursday, August 17th 2006, 10:39 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- State lawmakers crated new units within the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation as part of efforts to protect children -- but OSBI officials say the legislature didn't provide enough money for new agents.

The new programs include Governor Henry's "Safe Net" to investigate Internet crimes against children and the Child Abuse Response Team.

The OSBI asked for funding to hire 19 total agents for the programs but lawmakers approved funding for just seven.

And OSBI spokeswoman Jessica Brown says the seven agents can't be hired until January because the funding is only enough to pay for six months salary.