Should the city and the county combine their law enforcement operations to save money and improve efficiency and training?

A lot of research would first be needed before any such decision could be made, Douglas County Sheriff Ken McGovern said Thursday.

“At this time, the city and county law enforcement officers work together on many projects,” McGovern wrote during an online chat on ljworld.com.

“Statutorily, the Sheriff’s Office has many different duties that must be addressed,” McGovern wrote. “A merger would have to be thoroughly researched to determine if it would be the best interest for all the citizens of Douglas County.”

The departments worked together during the recent investigation of the Boardwalk Apartments fire, he said.

Responding to another question asked during the chat, McGovern said several of his deputies were assigned to the Boardwalk investigation at the request of Douglas County Fire & Medical and the Lawrence Police Department.

• Chat transcipt with Sheriff Ken McGovern

“This is an example of the level of cooperation that exists with the public service agencies in Douglas County,” McGovern said.

For the full transcript of the chat, go to www2.ljworld.com/news/chats/.