Pubdate: Sun, 17 Aug 2003
Source: Jackson Sun News (TN)
Copyright: 2003 The Jackson Sun
Contact:  http://www.jacksonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1482

FALSE K-9 PAPERS LAND COPS IN TROUBLE

CHATTANOOGA - A Chattanooga Police Department K-9 officer was fired and two 
others were suspended after an internal affairs probe concluded they 
falsified police dogs certifications.

The investigation involved two drug-sniffing Belgian Malinois dogs, Casper 
and Viper, purchased last year for $7,000 apiece in South Carolina.

Officer Iran Meadows, the department's head trainer and a 12-year veteran, 
was fired Thursday for submitting false documents, untruthfulness during an 
internal affairs investigation, neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming an 
officer, department officials said Friday.

"Officer Meadows was found to be the author of the documents,'' said Capt. 
Mark Rawlston, supervisor of internal affairs. "Officer Meadows continued 
to be untruthful during the investigation.''

Officers Mark Haley and Ruth Bowman each were suspended for 21 days without 
pay for similar charges. Each will serve a six-month probationary period, 
officials said Friday.

In early June, the Chattanooga Times Free Press asked Sgt. Dennis Pedigo, 
the police department's K-9 coordinator, to produce certifications by the 
United States Police Canine Association for the department's six police dogs.

Department policy requires each dog and handler to be certified by the 
organization before being put into service detecting drugs, patrolling 
streets and sniffing out explosive devices.

Certificates were produced for five of the six dogs, including Bowman's 
Casper and Haley's Viper. However those dogs' certificates appeared to have 
been doctored.

When officials checked with the U.S. Police Canine Association, they found 
the organization had no record of Casper or Viper receiving narcotics 
detection certificates at an April dog trial in Chattanooga.

According to the internal affairs report, Meadows used his own legitimate 
certificate to make copies for the other officers' dogs, officials said.

"Officer Meadows states he had no knowledge of how falsified documents were 
submitted when they are in fact copies of a document only he has had 
custody and control over,'' the report states.

Meadows and Bowman could not be reached for comment and Haley declined to 
discuss the disciplinary action.

The dogs were removed from street duty during the investigation and were 
not expected to go through the certification process until after it was 
complete.

Sam, a Labrador retriever used to sniff out bombs and explosive materials, 
also lacked certification, according to the department, which planned to 
seek it immediately for him.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart