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K-9 Drug Search Team Earns Honorary Membership at Local 238

June 6, 2005

A canine drug search team recently found more than $16 million worth of cocaine and marijuana hidden in the structure of a recreational vehicle that had been stopped by police. The dogs’ handlers are members of Local 238 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. State officials say it is the largest cocaine bust in Iowa history.

When members at Local 238 heard about the successful search, they decided the dogs deserved special recognition. Honorary membership was granted to the pair, complete with their own union cards.

“These dogs are pros. We never would have found the drugs without them,” said Dennis George, Polk County detective and Local 238 steward. “They can effectively search in ways their human counterparts can’t. Once they catch the scent, they keep at it until the drugs are located.”

Echo, 4 and Hank, 6, had each been deemed “too hyper” to be adopted and were likely candidates to be put down. Luckily, that nervous energy is a perfect skill for substance search methods used in law enforcement. Hank, a yellow Labrador retriever, was rescued by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department and has been on the force for three years. He lives with his handler Scott Faiferlick, also a member of Local 238. Echo, a German short hair/lab mix who lives with George, completed training just over a year ago and works with the Polk County Sheriff’s Department.

“Very little was known about the dogs when they were adopted, but they have turned out to be valuable additions to law enforcement agencies in this region,” George said. “Plus, their daily tasks use up a lot of that abundant energy, making them suitable to live with our families. It’s a good deal for all of us.”

Local 238, well known for its commitment to serving law enforcement members, wants to make an additional provision for the dogs. A proposal has been submitted to the executive board, which would authorize a $1,000 death benefit to be granted to law enforcement agencies or handlers when a canine is killed in the line of duty. The likelihood of a pay out is slim, but the members feel it would be a nice gesture in recognition of the dog’s loyal service.

“We just felt their service deserved a better benefit package than kibble and towels”, said Rik Willet, Recording Secretary and business agent at Local 238. “It may not matter to the dogs themselves, but it will matter to those who care about them.

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[ 07 June 2005: Message edited by: robbie_dee ]

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Originally posted by N.Beltov:
Bow. Wow.

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Arrrrrruffff!

here's an interesting ebook i read yesterday....it talked about how steam engines replaced horses....apparenty the early steam engine companies gave there machines away for free....the deal was structured such that profit was made replacing horses for horse power...it was an interesting read...

I would love to have a couple of highly trained dogs on a negotiating committee. Imagine them sitting on the floor, staring at management, ears laid back with an occasional low throaty growl.

Or at grievance meetings.......

Steward: We want you to remove the discipline, with full back pay, and an apology.

Manager: You must be crazy, there's no way....

Steward: Get 'em, Echo!

That's a sad comment on the modern labour movement, and a far-cry from the fighting history of the teamsters (remember the battle of St.Pauls!)

Ain't never seen the police break up a strike/
by hitting the boss with a baton pipe/
and you ain't ever going to see one/
but when we take over they'll be poppin' like re-runs/
-Boots Riley, The Coup

[ 04 September 2005: Message edited by: Mick ]

[ 04 September 2005: Message edited by: robbie_dee ]

If the cops were militant union types, with all that entails, then I think that when they were ordered to do something that is clearly against fellow workers they might react differently.

One of the best weapons when a strike is called is other workers honouring the picket line by refusing to transport or process hot cargo. Having the cops inside the labour movement would educate them so that they would be more supportive of the causes that they are often ordered to quash.