Pubdate: Thu, 22 Feb 2007
Source: Chetek Alert, The (WI)
Copyright: 2007 The Chetek Alert
Contact:  http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd=1134
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4028
Author: Rachel Westberg

CHETEK PD PROPOSES K-9 UNIT

Chetek police officer Ray Parr brought before the city council a 
proposal for the implementation of a K-9 unit at the council's 
monthly meeting Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Parr began explaining his proposal by recalling an incident at Chetek 
Middle School where a seventh-grade student was caught with 
possession of marijuana and two others were found with marijuana seeds.

"After that incident, a woman I know was talking to her sixth grade 
daughter," continued Parr. "She asked her daughter how easy it would 
be to get drugs if she wanted them. The girl responded that if she 
wanted to, by the end of the school day she could go home with 
whatever she wanted."

According to Parr, the school admits there is a problem. Parr 
continued by expressing that if the city had its own K-9 unit, word 
would travel in school and students would be aware that a dog could 
come through at any time.

"I think if we could get the drugs out of the school, the program 
would pay for itself," said Parr. " My whole thought process is if 
the council would approve it, I would raise the money to get the 
program started. The entire cost to get everything up and running 
would be paid for through fund raising and donations."

While the Barron County Sheriff's Department does have a trained dog, 
Parr explained that the city is lucky to use the dog once or twice a 
year. Parr also said that many students already know the dog is 
coming before the officer arrives, which allows the students to 
prepare for a search. The sheriff's department notifies the school 
staff, and somewhere along the line, the word gets out and all the 
kids know the officer is coming, said Parr.  "If someone was readily 
available, we wouldn't have that issue," Parr continued.

"This is quite bothersome knowing that this information is getting 
into the student body," said Waite. "I haven't seen it myself, but 
I've had a source that has told me they see drug deals going down 
right in the hallway. That's just unreal."

Waite also continued by expressing that the school board should be 
providing support in the future if it is more of a school issue, 
stating he felt it was more of a school district problem.

Parr replied that it would be beneficial throughout the entire 
community, citing the efforts of the neighborhood watch program and 
other incidents he has personally dealt with.

"Last summer there were a number of break-ins in vehicles and I came 
out in the nighttime and went walking around to catch people causing 
problems," Parr explained. "Obviously, taking a dog out, the dog 
would catch up on a scent a whole lot quicker than we could pick up 
on something. In turn, I think people would be less likely to cause 
problems knowing there could be a dog out."

"I think it would be a good idea," said Officer Jessica Mazel who was 
also present at the meeting. "Say someone runs on us, if we can't 
find them, a dog can pick up their scent more than we could even 
imagine. Then we wouldn't have a day or two to receive the county's 
dog. If the county's handler goes on vacation, we have to pay them 
extra to call the officer out and track a scent."

According to Parr, who would be considered the sole handler, he would 
go through the training himself, and the dog would reside at his 
home. The St. Paul, Minn., Police Department is the closest agency 
that could train Parr for a K-9 unit, but Parr explained that they 
would also provide the dog as part of the training. The Barron County 
Sheriff's Department goes through the exact same program.

Parr explained that training would occur in two parts. The first 
portion would be a 12-week course, concentrating in dog obedience, 
building searches, tracking, handling and protection. Following the 
first course, the handler would return the dog home to work with him 
and see how he would react to things-basically creating a bond, 
explained Parr. The dog would then return for a two-week course in 
narcotics training.

While Parr realizes the program and training would not be cheap, 
easily $20,000, he feels strongly about having a dog and feels he 
could raise the funds. Parr simply needed the city council's approval 
to begin the program.  The city council was in favor of the idea, but 
still had a couple of concerns, namely money, training time, and 
liability. Mayor Whitworth began the debate on the issue by asking 
about the insurance issues with the city.

"What about the insurance [needs]?" asked Whitworth. "Say if the dog 
bit a crook; he's going to sue, and most likely, the judge would give 
him an award [for damages]."

Parr explained he did not feel that would be the case, based on his 
knowledge of previous incidents in the county.

"I know the sheriff's department has had three or four cases where 
the dog has actually had to be released to get the person under 
control," said Parr.  "The person was found guilty, and was not given 
any favoritism because they were attacked."

"I'd like to see you get this on the ground, but I'd also expect to 
see some pretty hefty results from it," said Waite. "If you get this 
on the ground, and were able to raise the money, and then six months 
through the program you come to us saying 'I need $50,000,' that's 
not going to go over very well."

"That would not be the case" replied Parr. "I would have all the 
money raised before I even began training."

Alderman Bronstad asked Parr if the K-9 training would take him away 
from his normal duties with the city. Parr explained that for the 
most part it would, but he would be around during weekends, and with 
the others on the force helping with Parr's duties, he didn't foresee 
it being a problem. When Parr returned from the training with the 
dog, he would be doing everything he normally does, with the dog 
readily available. Even during the night time, with Parr living in 
the city, he would be available to bring the dog to a crime scene if 
needed. One squad car would need to be equipped with an automatic 
door opener and a special cage to keep the dog separate from the 
prisoner. The whole set-up for the squad car would also come from the 
money he raised.

Bronstad mentioned that the city had tried implementing a K-9 unit 
previously, but the city would have had to cover the expenses, which 
wasn't approved. However, with Parr raising the money and going 
through the motions himself, Bronstad expressed his approval.

Other members of the police squad and community apparently feel the 
same way, as Parr presented letters from school officials, Chief Mark 
Petersen and others in show of support.

"One must understand and remember that K-9 sniffs will not be a total 
answer or solution for potential drug issues within a school 
district, but that a K-9 along with a strong anti-drug message may 
detour a student from making a poor decision in regards to drug 
possession and usage," stated middle school principal Bryan Yenter in 
his letter. "After all, every student has a 'right' to attend and 
learn in a safe, drug-free school."

Superintendent Al Brown expressed his sentiments towards a K-9 unit as well.

"We really need to look at this as a community issue," said Brown. "I 
think [having a K-9 unit] is a worthy cause; it's one more tool that 
our police force can utilize in carrying out their duties. The police 
are looking at using the dog as more than just a drug dog. The school 
is part of the community. Our students represent the community as a 
whole. I would say the same percentage of students who use would be 
very similar to the percentage of usage in the community. Part of 
addressing the issue as a community is to address it in the school. 
We have to be pro-active, too. I don't think there is a community 
that can't say they don't have a drug issue."

Brown stated that he wasn't sure if the district would use the dogs 
any more than they have in the past. It would depend on the training 
the dog had and what drugs the dog was trained to sniff out, Brown 
said. He explained that the district usually brings in a dog about 
twice a year to check lockers and sniff out the school. The exercise 
is often used as part of training procedures for the county. To his 
knowledge, the dogs have never found drugs in the school or in the 
parking lots, Brown said.

"It's an admirable venture," continued Brown. "We will take advantage 
of any service the police department offers. I can't say at this 
point that we'd go into a situation where we'd do a search every 
other week. We've had some usage issues, but I wouldn't say it's more 
than any other place."

When asked if the school district would be willing to take part in 
supporting the cause financially, Brown explained that the students 
and staff will happily get involved in fundraising for Parr's venture.

Whitworth gave his approval to Parr to do whatever he needs to do to 
get the program started. Parr said he will be putting donation 
containers around town at local businesses. Those interested in 
donating may also stop in at the police department personally. Any 
questions can be directed to Parr at the police department as well.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman