Pubdate: Wed, 31 Jul 2002 Source: Big Sandy News, The (KY) Copyright: 2002 The Big Sandy News Contact: http://www.bigsandynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1975 Author: Chris McDavid SUDDEN DEATH PAINTSVILLE - The future of what was supposed to be a combined effort to eradicate drugs in Paintsville and Johnson County may be hanging in the balance, with the fate of the drug task force to be "re-evaluated" early next week. The Paintsville-Johnson County Drug Task Force was formed less than three months ago and has netted dozens of alleged dealers and users during that time. On the surface, the task force appears to be a proven successful, cooperative effort between both agencies; however, underlying issues surrounding the task force indicates otherwise. Those issues involve the division of assets and items forfeited between the two police agencies, apparent violations of policies governing the task force and those associated with it and, most recently, an attempt by the city police to purchase a drug dog. In a July 29 letter to Mayor Robin Cooper, Sheriff Bill Witten took issue with the city police department's recent solicitation of funds for a drug detection canine and the language used by a city police officer who spearheaded the fund-raising efforts. City police officer Brett Meadows, a co-supervisor of the task force, outlines the Paintsville Police Department's efforts to combat the area's drug problem in a letter seeking funds for the purchase of a drug dog. Meadows' letter, which has been distributed throughout Paintsville, also erroneously states that city police officers formed the task force. The task force was jointly formed on May 17 by the sheriff, mayor, city police chief Doug Wallen and Johnson County Judge-Executive Tucker Daniel. "While it is certainly not my place to question any steps you and Chief Wallen may pursue to increase the efficiency of your police officers in their pursuit of illicit drug sales and drug abuse, I found portions of Officer Meadows' letter personally offensive and a violation of the spirit of our Drug Task Force...," the sheriff wrote in his letter to the mayor. The sheriff also pointed out to the mayor that the letter soliciting funds is "particularly insensitive to the fragile nature of efforts to establish a permanent foundation for trust and cooperation between our respective agencies." Sheriff Witten notes that he has received inquiries about the fundraising efforts and has advised that the Johnson County Sheriff's Department does not endorse the solicitation of funds - as indicated by Meadows' letter. When contacted Tuesday about the solicitation of funds for a drug dog, Chief Wallen said he was not aware of the specifics, but noted that Meadows has been directed to provide him with more information on the matter. Cooper said Tuesday that he and the sheriff had a meeting about the issue, but noted that it is "sort of the personality of police and law enforcement officials" to be "very competitive." "Very rarely, I've seen agencies that went together like water and water," the mayor said, noting that he has been a member of the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council for seven years. "There's always some oil in it." Cooper also noted that the purchase of a drug dog is an attempt to "take one more step" in the fight against drugs. He added that contributors will be informed that the purchase of a drug dog is being pursued by the city police department. Unconfirmed reports, though, indicate that the clash between the Paintsville Police Department and Johnson County Sheriff's Department in the combined effort is more than a lack of giving credit where credit is due. The contaminant, referred to by Cooper as "oil," reportedly involves other alleged violations of a May 17 confidential memorandum announcing the formation of the drug task force. The task force policy, detailed in the memo, may be one of various issues at the heart of the controversy among the participating police agencies. The policy - in the interest of security - restricts discussions of personnel not associated with the task force. There may be concerns that those restrictions have not been followed. Sheriff Witten, who also serves on the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council, notes in his letter to the mayor that implications made by Meadows and the city police department's solicitation of funds have forced him to publicly disassociate himself from the effort and that he "will, most reluctantly and regretfully, have to re-evaluate the continued participation of the Johnson County Sheriff's Office in the joint drug task force." The confidential memorandum also notes that both agencies shall continue to pursue drug arrests and investigations, independent of the task force. The Johnson County Sheriff's Department has conducted a zero-tolerance drug campaign throughout Sheriff Witten's term. Meadows' letter makes no reference to the city's independent efforts to eradicate drugs, but cites that the task force has arrested 55 alleged dealers who have been prosecuted or facing prosecution in the court system. Another conflicting issue involving the task force reportedly involves the division of assets seized by the task force. The memorandum states that all assets or forfeitures will be "shared equally" by both agencies and that an account shall be established for all assets until they are disposed of as provided by law or the dissolution of the task force. A meeting to discuss the sheriff department's future participation with the task force is scheduled for Monday. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens