Presley police report 40‑lb meth seizure, propose Axon taser/VR package and outline K9 needs

The Presley Police Department reported February operational statistics and outlined several public-safety priorities, including a federal trafficking investigation, an equipment proposal and K9 program needs.

A police representative told the council the department handled about 100 dispatched calls in February, conducted roughly 50 traffic stops, wrote about 30 citations, had 15 misdemeanor charges and two felony charges, made 10 arrests, completed 31 reports, logged 5,467 patrol miles and used about 487 gallons of fuel. The presenter said many calls and some activity were covered by four patrol officers and noted part-time-officer activity was not included in those totals.

On investigations, the presenter described an intercepted human‑trafficking case that the FBI has taken the lead on; as part of the multi-agency effort the speaker said task force operatives later recovered about 40 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value near $1 million. The speaker said Presley officers located a vehicle and maintained surveillance until federal partners completed the stop and seizure in Tennessee.

The department also presented a vendor quote from Axon for a package that would include three taser handles and virtual‑reality training equipment. The quoted total was $22,999.40 on a five‑year schedule (about $5,000 per year); the presenter described the plan as equipping supervisors with tasers while patrol officers would continue to carry jet projectors (pepper guns). The presenter characterized cartridges and replacements as covered under the five‑year arrangement but did not present a formal purchase order; council action or final procurement approval was not recorded in the meeting.

K9 officer Ellis (self‑identified) described K9 operations and training. Ellis said the dog, Heroes, is used for building searches and traffic‑stop sniffs and that deployment reduces risk to officers in clearing buildings. Ellis said the unit trains at a minimum of four hours per week (16 hours per month), but that actual training hours have been higher, described borrowing harnesses and other gear from neighboring agencies, and requested replacement equipment that will last for the life of the dog. Ellis also said the department sometimes provides canine assistance to other agencies under agreements that can include compensation and that seizure proceeds routed through the prosecuting attorney’s office have previously been used to support patrol or canine equipment.

Council members asked about handheld radio replacements; the police presenter said paperwork had been completed and the final outstanding item was an attorney’s opinion that had been submitted and was expected soon.

No formal vote or ordinance related to equipment purchases was recorded at the meeting; next steps are expected to include follow-up budget or procurement items presented to the council for authorization.