VALUE OF POLICE DOG QUESTIONED

Is He Effective In War Against Drugs?

CHESTER - The police department's role in the local war on drugs, in
particular the impact its police dog is having, is coming into the
crosshairs of one selectman.

The police department's role in the local war on drugs, in particular the
impact its police dog is having, is coming into the crosshairs of one
selectman.

When Chester decided to bring on a police dog, the goal was to help put a
"dent" in the flow of drugs moving north from Springfield, Mass., through
Chester and on to Ludlow and Rutland, Selectman Michael LeClair said.

LeClair wants to know just how much of a dent Officer Riggs is making as
part of his effort to determine how much benefit the town receives.

A former police officer, LeClair described police dogs as a "great tool"
but wants to justify the program, one he has asked questions about in the past.

"This is a big luxury for a town the size of Chester," he said Wednesday night.

LeClair said he had not seen a "sizable" drug case reported where the
police dog was involved. Police Chief Richard Cloud said his quarterly
reports provide information about department activities but it appears the
select board wants more.

Selectman Derek Suursoo said he and the board want the "facts and figures"
on the police dog to help determine if the dog is a worthwhile program for
the town.

Cloud said Sgt. Mark Phelps will come before the board later this month.

Selectmen had suggested showing how much drug forfeiture money the town has
received from cases the police dog has been involved with.

Cloud said breaking that information out is difficult at best, especially
since it can take three years before the money works its way to the town.

The chief is working with Vermont State Police on the $25,276 in drug
forfeiture funds Chester has received from 2003 through May 30 of last
year. LeClair said with the town's police department having a member on the
regional undercover drug enforcement team he is not interested in money alone.