Centre has open-door policy on drug dog searches
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
After a presentation Monday by Marion County Sheriff's Sergeant Jeff Soyez and his drug dog Jag, Centre USD #397 Board of Education reaffirmed its policy of allowing administrators to invite law enforcement officers and drug dogs into district schools to search for illicit drugs.
The policy established May 14, 2001, states that drug dog visits can be made "at the request of the administration."
High school principal Neal Weltha said Soyez and Jag were at the school at least three times during the 2002-2003 school year. Drugs were found two times, Soyez said.
Weltha said when Soyez arrives with the dog, he announces over the intercom the presence of the dog and advises everyone to stay in their classrooms while lockers are checked.
Soyez said the law allows searches of lockers, book bags, and vehicles, but not of individuals. Book bags can be taken out into the hallway and students returned to their classroom while the dog noses the bags.
Soyez often works with other drug officers from surrounding counties. He said he is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and can be contacted through the sheriff's dispatcher.
He encouraged administrators, teachers, and board members to contact him directly whenever they need his services.
"When I come, I expect cooperation from everyone," he said. "If I don't get it, I'm gone."
