TODD MEIER TO HEAD REVIEW OF POLICE NARCOTICS DIVISION

A Dallas businessman will preside over a new committee charged with
reviewing police narcotics division activities while the FBI continues to
investigation dozens of faulty drug busts conducted by undercover
detectives, Police Chief Terrell Bolton announced Friday.

Todd Meier, a former county prosecutor and car dealership owner now in
private business, said he didn't hesitate to accept the offer to be
chairman of a panel that includes members of the police department,
prosecutors and officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S.
Attorney's office. The panel will likely meet quarterly, although a first
meeting has not been scheduled.

Background Coverage of the ongoing investigation from The Dallas Morning
News and WFAA.

"Given the size of the department and the very complex issues of narcotics
interdiction, dealing with those issues is very complex and very dangerous.
Given those circumstances, I think they do a wonderful job - not to say
they can't do better," Mr. Meier said. "Part of the committee's
responsibilities will be do develop whatever additional best practices we
can." The creation of the panel is one of the recommendations made by the
DEA following a review of narcotics division procedures. Chief Bolton
requested the review in January after the disclosure that dozens of major
drug arrests conducted by two undercover detectives using paid confidential
informants did not involve illegal drugs but only substances that appeared
to be cocaine or methamphetamines.

Those arrested have since been released, and prosecutors have dismissed
more than 70 felony cases so far. The two narcotics detectives, Senior Cpl.
Mark Delapas and Officer Eddie Herrera, are on paid leave while the matter
is under investigation.