Perdue wants to combine criminal justice agencies

By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Associated Press

PINEHURST, NC (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue wants to consolidate three agencies that employ state troopers, probation officers and juvenile counselors into one Cabinet-level department.

Perdue said Thursday that the propsed Department of Public Safety would save money and improve efficency. It would include the current Departments of Correction, Juvenile Justice and Crime Control and Public Safety.

Perdue also wants to shift the Employment Security Commission to the Commerce Department and bring in the State Controller’s Office into an expanded Department of Administration. Many of the changes would require legislative approval.

Perdue told a group of busines leaders in Pinehurt she would release more details early next year.

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