Tucker
LAW ENFORCEMENT IS DIFFICULT ENOUGH WITHOUT SILLY RIVALRIES

Jurisdictional jealousies among law enforcement agencies are the stuff of
detective novels and, too often, daily newspapers. These disputes undercut
the purpose for the existence of all these agencies -- public safety.

Kanawha County residents expect Kanawha County Sheriff Dave Tucker to
cooperate with the county's Metro Drug Unit. It's as simple as that.

Three months ago, U.S. Attorney Kasey Warner cited serious problems with
the unit, saying a lack of coordination by one agency was compromising
officers' safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts.

It's Tucker's agency that hasn't been cooperating.

"Even without a joint task force in place, operating in a concurrent
jurisdiction without coordinating with all respective jurisdictions is
highly improper, stupid, inefficient, lacking in professional courtesy and
extremely dangerous," Warner wrote.

"Lack of coordination leads to duplication of effort, premature termination
of ongoing investigations and totally unacceptable danger to working
undercover officers and informants."

Law enforcement efforts in Kanawha County are unfortunately fragmented from
the get-go -- too many little municipalities. The Metro Drug Unit is an
effort to overcome that fragmentation to produce the best results possible.

The unit now consists of officers from federal agencies and eight municipal
police forces. Participation triggers federal funds.

But Tucker pulled his officer from the unit in May, costing the department
federal funds as well as its share of property confiscated in drug raids.

Tucker's department says deputies have been very effective on their turf,
making 22 drug-related arrests and uncovering seven meth labs.

Maybe so, but it is irresponsible for Tucker to have his deputies go their
own way and run their own show when that undercuts other agencies' efforts,
puts people in danger, and endangers prosecutions.

Taxpayers have a right to expect all the agencies they fund -- the city
police departments, the sheriff's department, the State Police, the FBI,
the ATF and everybody else -- to work together.

The task is difficult enough without the distraction and danger posed by
unprofessional rivalries.