Pubdate: Sat, 19 Oct 2002
Source: Tennessean, The (TN)
Webpage: 
www.tennessean.com/local/archives/02/10/23987839.shtml?Element_ID=23987839
Copyright: 2002 The Tennessean
Contact:  http://www.tennessean.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447
Author: Andy Humbles

SLAYINGS PROMPT MT. JULIET TO CONSIDER MORE DETECTIVES

In the wake of drug-related homicide cases that have rocked the community 
over the past month, the Mt. Juliet Police Department is taking steps to 
increase its detective division.

This week the City Commission approved on first reading $75,000 for two new 
detective positions by a 5-0 vote. Second reading for the resolution is 
scheduled for Oct. 28.

"It's a response to what has happened the last few years," Commissioner Ray 
Justice said. "The unfortunate part is, the events of the last few months 
say we have a problem."

If the resolution passes second reading, one detective would be added to 
the Criminal Investigations Division and one to the Special Operations 
Division, Police Chief Kenneth Martin said.

Mt. Juliet now has three detectives in each division.

After the shooting death of Michael Bochette, 20, a former Mt. Juliet High 
football player who was a student at Cumberland University, Mt. Juliet 
Mayor Kevin Mack announced that the city was "declaring war on drugs."

"But we had already seen things trending that way," Mack said this week. 
"We were finding out we were having more of a drug problem in Mt. Juliet 
than anyone ever thought.

"The three murders - the pregnant woman and child, and then Bochette Junior 
- - drove home we have a problem."
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