Sheriff wants K-9, tasers, defibrillators
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, June 25, 2003
In a time of budget constraints, new tools for Sheriff Mark Harig’s department might cost money, make money, save money and save lives, he said.
Tuesday, Harig outlined and discussed his department’s need for tasers, a drug sniffing/protection dog and heart defibrillators.
Initially, County Administrator Ron Gabrielsen was wary. &uot;The problem is, and this is not going to be a surprise, that we don’t have the funding,&uot; he said.
But Harig said donations could pay for the initial expense of the dog and training for a deputy to use it. But he said money from assets seized in drug busts aided by the dog should cover annual expenses like veterinarian services, extra pay for the handling officer, and dog food bills. And with the amount of drugs in the rural areas, and requests by schools for locker searches, the need is there.
He said the county can’t continue using dogs from other departments with drug problems without eventually having to pay for them.
The defibrillators, medical devices that can help restore normal heart rhythm, could be paid for by donations. But tasers may run several thousand dollars.
Harig stressed that the proposals weren’t just toys but needed tools.
&uot;I’m looking out for the safety of officers and the public,&uot; he said.
Officer Andy Johnson of the Albert Lea Police Department, who has a police dog, said there hasn’t been a night when he hasn’t used his dog and that it offers him back up when another officer could be on the other side of town.
&uot;Too many bad things can happen in a short period of time,&uot; he said. He said people being arrested often begin to cooperate when they hear his dog bark. He also said half the time he uses his dog to help out the Sheriff’s department.
He also said that his department has defibrillators and that have helped him save two lives so far. And since law enforcement is usually the first to arrive in emergencies, they have the opportunity to make a crucial difference.
Harig said tasers would help prevent instances like the 2000 attack and injury of two county jailers by a prisoner, and would subdue violent offenders without using guns.
County Administrator Ron Gabrielsen mentioned how tasers could save the county money on court expenses. &uot;You shoot someone, there’s a liability,&uot; he said. He said had the man that attacked that jailer been tased, the county wouldn’t have had to pay $30,000 in worker’s compensation for the injured jailers.
But he warned the funding may not get approval because of budget cuts.
The three commissioners present at the Tuesday workshop &045; Mark Behrends, Glen Mathiason and Dave Mullenbach &045; had an approving tone.
&uot;I felt real good about his presentation,&uot; Chairman Mark Behrends said after the meeting. &uot;I like the idea that they’re looking for donations for the K-9 dog.&uot;
&uot;But with the budget crunch we’re in, we have to see how much we can help out the force.&uot;
The board will discuss whether to allow Harig to seek donations, and approve funding for the tasers next Tuesday.
Those interested in donating can contact Harig or Deputy Tim Bennett or Deputy Sheriff Bob Kindler at 377-5200.