BCA is hiring to fight meth scourge and sexual predators

By Howie Padilla

Star Tribune

In the aftermath of this year's legislative focus on sex offenders and the destructive effects of methamphetamine, the state's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is hiring.

The agency is using newly allocated money to fill 13 spots -- 10 for fighting meth and three for ensuring predatory offender registration.

"These are two of the most pressing criminal justice and law enforcement issues of our day," said Assistant BCA Superintendent Tim O'Malley.

As part of their jobs, the new meth agents will focus on meth from outside Minnesota.

"Eighty percent of the meth going up the noses of our kids comes from out of state," he said. "And most of that is from out of the country. I think we can truly impact those numbers, and now's the time to do it."

The new predatory offender agents will travel throughout the state helping to track the worst offenders, O'Malley said.

The BCA is headquartered in St. Paul with field offices throughout the state, including Moorhead, Bemidji and Mankato. The new agents will be stationed throughout the state.

The move will help the BCA -- which currently has more than 50 special agents and 300 other employees -- diversify its ranks, said Superintendent Linda Finney.

"This will enhance our flexibility in working with victims, suspects and the general public," she said.