Pubdate: Tue, 7 May 2002 Source: Meridian Star, The (MS) Copyright: 2002 Meridian Star Contact: http://www.meridianstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1698 Author: Suzanne Monk, Managing Editor Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption) INVESTIGATORS LOOK INTO HOW ILLEGAL DRUGS WERE STOLEN A Meridian police officer was charged Monday in Clarke County with illegal possession of cocaine and illegal possession of crystal methamphetamine. Officer Donald Morgan posted a $10,000 bond and was released from the Clarke County jail. The charges both specify "illegal" possession of drugs. This is because Morgan's K9 partner is trained in apprehension and narcotics detection, and has periodic practice sessions involving actual illegal drugs. Police Chief Benny DuBose held a press conference Monday to announce the results of a drug raid at Morgan's Clarke County home over the weekend. "On Friday, May 3, Officer Morgan was discovered in his police vehicle in a disoriented state," DuBose said. Morgan was on duty at the time. He was transported to a local hospital. A search of Morgan's patrol car turned up several bottles of unauthorized narcotics and drug paraphernalia. "An immediate inventory was conducted on the K9 training supplies and it was discovered that a quantity of items were missing from the safe," DuBose said. A subsequent search of Morgan's home turned up more illegal drugs. "Some of the narcotics taken (in the search) are believed to be those discovered missing from the inventory of drugs which are used for K9 training," DuBose said. Morgan has been suspended without pay pending termination. The city's drug screening policy City Risk Manager Buck Thomas is the city employee currently charged with running the random drug testing program. Thomas said it is the city's policy to screen about 50 percent of its 540 employees over the course of each year at Rush Foundation Hospital. The hospital has a list of all city employees' Social Security numbers. Once a month, a list of 23 Social Security numbers is generated randomly and sent to city officials. Those employees report for drug testing. Thomas has been in charge of the program since February. In that time, he said, no one has tested positive. He said police officers are not tested any more often than any other city employees - but penalties for drug use can be stiffer for people designated as "public safety officers." Police officers can be immediately terminated the first time they test positive. Thomas said employees in other classifications are automatically referred to the Employee Assistance Program. Changes at the training facility Illegal drugs used to train canine officers are kept in a safe at the Meridian Police Department's training facility on Sand Flat Road. Capt. Keith McCary supervises police training. He said he does not know how Morgan got access to the safe. As far as he knew, only one person had the combination - Senior Patrol Officer Steve Shepherd, who trains dogs and their handlers. McCary said he called Shepherd one time in January for the combination to the safe, but opened it only once and did not make note of the combination. Morgan was present at the time. McCary also said that Morgan did not have a key to the building, and entry after hours would have set off an alarm system. The bottom line is that police investigators are not yet sure how drugs came up missing, but procedural changes are probable. "We changed the combination of the safe today as an immediate safeguard," McCary said. "I have a good feeling that when the safe is opened in the future, it will be opened in the presence of two people, not just one. I think there will also be a policy about weighing drugs at the point they are checked out - and then again when they are returned." The police chief is in the process of terminating Morgan's employment at the Meridian Police Department. His case is expected to be presented to a Clarke County grand jury. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom