Idaho lawmakers are trying to pass a bill that would mandate rape kit DNA testing because the state has abysmally low testing rates. Some police agencies test approximately 54% and some as low as only 10% of rape kits are sent for testing. Makes sense the Idaho legislature would try to improve these testing rates and get consistency throughout the state. But, at least one sheriff is vehemently objecting. From Local8news.com:
"I really believe the Legislature needs to take a strong look at allowing law enforcement to do their job and not try to dictate what we need to do. I think they're trying to help, I really do," Bingham County Sheriff Craig Rowland said. "They need to let us decide if we're going to send the kit and when we send the kits in. Because the majority of our rapes, not to say that we don't have rapes, we do, but the majority of our rapes that are called in, are actually consensual sex. "
Say what? I think we may be seeing why the testing rates are so low. If you are a woman in Bingham County, Idaho, you may want to reach out and have a word with Sheriff Rowland.
Hear the sheriff object, in his own words. WATCH: