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Swain County approves reclassification to create K-9 sergeant position; dog and equipment to use drug forfeiture funds
Summary
The board approved upgrading an open deputy position to a sergeant classification to serve as a K-9 handler; sheriff's office said dog acquisition and equipment will be paid from drug forfeiture funds and that the K-9 will assist both drug interdiction and search-and-rescue.
Swain County commissioners approved a personnel reclassification Sept. 2 to create a sergeant-level K-9 handler position, the sheriff's office told the board. The office described the reclassification as an upgrade of an existing open deputy slot to a sergeant to reflect training time and responsibilities tied to the K-9 program.
A sheriff's office representative said the candidate under consideration, identified in the meeting as Scott, has about 18 years in law enforcement and has worked with the same dog for roughly four-and-a-half years. The office said the K-9 will support narcotics detection and tracking for lost persons.
"It's going to save us money in the long run," the sheriff's representative said, adding that the six-week handler training and other certifications justify the rank reclassification. The office said it will use drug forfeiture funds to purchase the dog and related equipment; the county's building funds could cover the salary differential between deputy and sergeant.
A commissioner moved to reclassify the position and the board seconded the motion; commissioners voted in favor and the motion passed. No specific salary amounts or the expected cost of the dog and equipment were provided during the work session.
The board did not tie the reclassification to a broader personnel study or change in authorized headcount and did not schedule further hearings on the request at the work session.
