HOUSTON -- Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt and several members of the department's crime lab recently traveled to London to learn more about analyzing DNA. But some are wondering if the trip was necessary because it will cost taxpayers thousands of dollars, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.

HPD is rebuilding the department's embattled DNA lab and part of that reorganization included a trip to London earlier this month.

Hurtt and three of his top administrators went there to see the DNA laboratory operated by Forensic Sciences Services, which is a potential template for HPD's DNA Lab.

The tab to taxpayers -- more than $14,000 for airfare, hotel and meals.

Why London?

"There was pressure from me on the police department. Let's find the best in the world. Let's do what the best in the world does rather than reinventing the wheel," Houston Mayor Bill White said.

The FSS lab uses robotics and automation to process DNA samples in 24 to 48 hours, which is faster than any U.S. lab, according to the mayor.

But longtime taxpayer watchdog George Scott, the former director of the Tax Research Association, questioned why it was necessary to include Hurtt in the Houston delegation.

"The things that make this most troubling to most taxpayers, probably the one that raises the question mark is that the chief of police went. Does he really have the expertise to understand what he saw?" said Scott.

City council member Sue Lovell countered that it made sense to have included the chief.

"It's under him. He makes those decisions, so I think it's good for him to go and find out," she said.

Hurtt was not available for an on camera comment on Wednesday. But he has promised a big announcement about the crime lab next month.