SPECIAL POLICE UNITS DO BULK OF DRUG CASE INVESTIGATION

Every profession, organization and agency has its own lingo. Sometimes you
get so used to the lingo that you forget an outsider doesn't know what in
the heck you're talking about.

I was explaining to someone recently that while DTF and SWAT are both
composed of Sheriff's Office and Conway officers. They are not the same
officers and SWAT doesn't always accompany DTF.

My explanation was met with a blank stare. I forgot not everyone knows what
"DTF" is or how or why it's different from the Metro SWAT Team.

The Conway Regional Drug Task Force (DTF's technical name) is a multiagency
task force made up of seven Conway Police Department employees and one
investigator from the Faulkner County Sheriff's Office. Of the seven Conway
Police personnel, one is a lieutenant, one is a sergeant, four are narcotic
investigators and one is an administrative assistant.

The addition of the Sheriff's Office investigator has not only strengthened
the relationship between the two departments but also contributed to the
task force receiving more federal money for the investigation of drug offenses.

Since the DTF covers the entire county, it serves approximately 96,000 people.

According to the folks who keep up with the numbers, Faulkner County had
437 drug-related arrests in 1998, 556 in 1999, 421 in 2000 and 410 last
year. The DTF isn't the only group making drug arrests, but it accounted
for 70 percent of them, which shows the effectiveness of a unit dedicated
strictly to drug enforcement activities.

Some statistics I was handed recently show that more and more of the
arrests DTF officers are making are for felony offenses. That comes, at
least in part, from the growing popularity of methamphetamine and the
officers' strategy of attempting to reduce the number of offenders by
attacking the supply source.

Last year, the DTF seized 49 meth labs, compared to 33 in 2000. As of
September this year, the DTF has seized 29 meth labs or made arrests for
criminal attempt to manufacture meth and they have opened 263 cases.

Officers are predicting fewer new meth cases this year than last and say
that is because of their proactive approach of attacking the supply source
of the drug problem.

But, at the same time, they anticipate an increase in another area: "club
drugs."

The DTF is also on a mission to educate. So far this year, DTF taught 15
classes to nearly 400 people, including 148 students in Conway and Vilonia
Schools, several members of neighborhood watch programs and civic
organizations, Faulkner County Sheriff's Office reserve deputies and
volunteer fire department personnel.

The point to the statement that got this whole explanation started was:
SWAT Team members often assist the DTF in serving warrants. They're the
ones who kick in the doors so the drug guys can go look around. If DTF
feels a suspect is not a threat, they will serve the warrant without help
from the SWAT Team.

The Conway Regional Drug Task Force office can be reached at 450-6140 or by
calling the Crime Tips Hotline at 450-6135 and leaving a message. This
message can be left anonymously if you wish.