POLICE OFFICER FIRED AFTER DRUG ARREST APPEALS TERMINATION

Don Morgan, a K9 officer fired from the Meridian Police Department
after a drug raid at his Clarke County home, has appealed his
termination to the Civil Service Commission.

Police Chief Benny DuBose said Morgan was discovered in a "disoriented
state" on May 3. He was on duty and in his police vehicle at the time.

Morgan was transported to a local hospital, DuBose said, and a search
of his vehicle turned up several bottles of unauthorized narcotics and
drug paraphernalia.

"An immediate inventory was conducted on the K9 training supplies and
it was discovered that a quantity of items were missing from the
safe," DuBose said.

A subsequent search of Morgan's home turned up more illegal
drugs.

"Some of the narcotics taken (in the search) are believed to be those
discovered missing from the inventory of drugs used for K9 training."

Morgan was charged May 6 by the Clarke County Sheriff's Department
with illegal possession of cocaine and illegal possession of crystal
methamphetamine.

Morgan filed an appeal of his termination with the Meridian Civil
Service Commission on June 6. He had served on the MPD for almost four
years and was a senior patrolman.

He is represented by William E. Ready, and lists as the basis for his
appeal "erroneous basis" and "unlawful application of law and/or rules."

No copy of his termination letter was attached, but the appeal lists
21 potential witnesses who might be called at a public hearing into
that matter. All but one are police officers - including those who
conducted the search at his home.

Morgan has asked that further action in his appeal be delayed until
after the criminal charges against him have been resolved. His case is
expected to be presented to a Clarke County grand jury in July.