TOLEDO, Ohio — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine visited the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center in Toledo on Wednesday, one day after discussing increased funding for the program during his state of the state address.
DeWine is asking the state legislature to approve $13 million to expand services at ONIC, double the amount of money going that is to the centers now.
The Toledo branch of the relatively new ONIC opened in 2019. The state's goal with the program is to help local law enforcement with investigations by providing intelligence and other forensic support.
"We can come in with technology and with expertise and deal with these things and give them help," DeWine said. "Not just for the police or the sheriff's but also the prosecuting attorneys."
The governor said investing in public service is important to help fight crime in areas like Toledo.
The new administrator of statewide forensics and northern operations for ONIC is a familiar face to Toledoans: former Toledo police chief George Kral.
The former head of TPD's last day in office was on Jan. 10, but he's coming out of retirement.
"I think I had one of the shortest retirements in law enforcement history," Kral said.
The ONIC's Toledo branch helped solved a handful of investigations. The level of detail and knowledge at the ONIC offices are unmatched by what Kral saw in his three decades at TPD.
"We bring a phone over here, there's a forensic expert that will get extractions and pass it off to analysts and honestly, that's where the magic happens," Kral said.
Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson said ONIC's services can help address violent crime.
"We have got to do a better job of attacking violent crime in our neighborhoods," Wilson said. "We've got to get more resources in that area,"
Toledo's ONIC team is able to provide services and support for free because of the funding. Some of those services include cell phone analysis, dark web investigations and support with criminal cases.