CHATTANOOGA OFFICER FIRED FOR FALSIFYING DRUG DOG CERTIFICATES

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.