I’d start by cutting the paperwork—no more piles of forms that only add noise. Get the data straight from the scene, not the bureaucracy. A small, specialized team: a detective, a data analyst, and someone who can run a cheap, open‑source GIS platform. No fancy gadgets, just reliable tech. Keep overhead low by using shared office space, remote shifts, and a lean payroll. I’d build partnerships with local law‑enforcement agencies and community groups so we get leads without the extra costs of a full‑time liaison office. And if you’re wondering about motivation, a strict budget forces you to focus on what really moves a case forward: evidence, not ego. That’s the playbook.

Sounds solid—just make sure the AI doesn’t replace the human element entirely; a good detective still needs to question the data, not just trust the algorithm. The startup partnership could work if the tech is battle‑tested and the goals line up, but keep the contracts tight so you don’t end up giving up a piece of the operation for a cheap demo. Data first, ego last, that’s the only playbook that keeps the case moving.

That’s the only way to keep the agency from turning into a corporate PR stunt. Keep the contracts short, the data clean, and the fieldwork messy. If the partnership stalls, cut it faster than a perp in the alley. No ego, just evidence.