Jackson County Prepares for Addition of K-9 Unit

While many places are going through job cuts because of hard economic times, one local law enforcement department is requesting to add two positions.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department requested funding for the addition of two patrol deputies at Tuesday’s county commission meeting. The department currently employs 23 patrol deputies, but they’ll soon be moving at least one of them to a brand new K-9 Unit.

Jackson County Sheriff Lou Roberts says they’re hoping the new unit will help them better combat the county’s drug problem.

“The one thing that was made clear to me by the citizens is that they were tired of the drugs and drugs being transported across our roadways in the county,” Sheriff Roberts says, “And one of the ways we can combat that is to have a K-9 program.”

He says in the last two-and-half weeks they’ve made 12 drug arrests, which all initiated in a traffic stop. He hopes to have one officer able to conduct stops while the K-9 officer would work with the dog to inspect the vehicle.

He hopes to be able to fill the empty spots left by the new K-9 officers because they’re already short staffed.

The national average for officers per thousand-population is 2.4, but Jackson County’s average is already a lot lower at 1.7.

The drawback is the cost. Times are tough for everyone, so how could they afford to add these two positions, and how much would it cost?

The two patrol officers and their equipment would cost a total of $78,000. Sheriff Roberts met with the Jackson County Commission Tuesday night to request the funding.

“I know that times are hard and they may not award this to me but at the same time I feel that it’s my duty and responsibility to try to take every action that we can to try to prevent any illegal drugs from being on our streets.”

Commissioners ultimately decided to table a vote on the additional officers, while Sheriff Roberts seeks out other possible sources to fund the officers.

Sheriff Roberts says the Sheriff’s Department will go ahead with the K-9 program, regardless. It is scheduled to begin in March.

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