Pubdate: Thu, 24 Oct 2002
Source: Charleston Daily Mail (WV)
Copyright: 2002 Charleston Daily Mail
Contact:  http://www.dailymail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/76

Tucker
LAW ENFORCEMENT IS DIFFICULT ENOUGH WITHOUT SILLY RIVALRIES

Jurisdictional jealousies among law enforcement agencies are the stuff of 
detective novels and, too often, daily newspapers. These disputes undercut 
the purpose for the existence of all these agencies -- public safety.

Kanawha County residents expect Kanawha County Sheriff Dave Tucker to 
cooperate with the county's Metro Drug Unit. It's as simple as that.

Three months ago, U.S. Attorney Kasey Warner cited serious problems with 
the unit, saying a lack of coordination by one agency was compromising 
officers' safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts.

It's Tucker's agency that hasn't been cooperating.

"Even without a joint task force in place, operating in a concurrent 
jurisdiction without coordinating with all respective jurisdictions is 
highly improper, stupid, inefficient, lacking in professional courtesy and 
extremely dangerous," Warner wrote.

"Lack of coordination leads to duplication of effort, premature termination 
of ongoing investigations and totally unacceptable danger to working 
undercover officers and informants."

Law enforcement efforts in Kanawha County are unfortunately fragmented from 
the get-go -- too many little municipalities. The Metro Drug Unit is an 
effort to overcome that fragmentation to produce the best results possible.

The unit now consists of officers from federal agencies and eight municipal 
police forces. Participation triggers federal funds.

But Tucker pulled his officer from the unit in May, costing the department 
federal funds as well as its share of property confiscated in drug raids.

Tucker's department says deputies have been very effective on their turf, 
making 22 drug-related arrests and uncovering seven meth labs.

Maybe so, but it is irresponsible for Tucker to have his deputies go their 
own way and run their own show when that undercuts other agencies' efforts, 
puts people in danger, and endangers prosecutions.

Taxpayers have a right to expect all the agencies they fund -- the city 
police departments, the sheriff's department, the State Police, the FBI, 
the ATF and everybody else -- to work together.

The task is difficult enough without the distraction and danger posed by 
unprofessional rivalries.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D