NARCOTICS OFFICERS DESERVE PAY HIKE

I join Clint Earls ("Uniformed police officers also deserve 'hazardous pay'
", Oct. 30) who commended state Rep. John Reeves for his support to
increase the pay of Bureau of Narcotics agents who work the front lines to
keep our schools and streets safe. State narcotics agents are a well
trained police force who serve at an especially high risk of personal
safety against a well-organized enemy for compensation that is too low.

Without question, county and municipal law enforcement officers continue to
initiate most of the drug arrests in this state, due in part to the
extensive coverage provided by local law enforcement agencies on a
statewide basis.

However, the criticism that the writer makes of Rep. Reeves for not
including local law enforcement officers in his proposal for a 25 percent
salary increase for MBN officers would seem misplaced. Local law
enforcement agencies are subject to the funding priorities and restrictions
of local budgets rather than from the state Legislature.

While both state and local coffers statewide have been strained for the
past two to three years, it is important to realize that commitments that
are made on both the state and local level to retain experienced narcotics
officers in adequate numbers promote economic growth by ensuring safe,
desirable communities and schools. By the same token, schools and
communities that are lost to drug peddlers can irreparably blight our
communities, both culturally and economically.

Both state and local law enforcement officers involved in narcotics
enforcement are fortunate to have Rep. Reeves' commitment to support
increased salary funding and for raising the level of public awareness to
the role that effective narcotics enforcement plays in all our communities.

Dave Scott,
Madison