Pictured: Sheriff Jason Landers and Dave Burtch.
Kiwanis member Corey Walker introduced fellow member Sheriff Jason Landers. Sheriff Landers introduced the department’s new technology to identify drugs. Tactic ID is a safe, and secure way to identify potential hazardous substances, whether liquid, solid, powder, or pill. When dealing with fentanyl, or carfentanil officers have the risk of inhaling the substance which could be extremely dangerous and even life threatening. Tactic ID uses laser technology to identify a drug. Before Tactic ID officers would conduct a field test which usually consisted of taking a particle of the substance, mixing it with other chemicals to then create a reaction resulting in various colors, for a theoretical example if the solution turned red it was heroin, blue it was cocaine, etc. This required officers to handle the substance, often being unsure of what it is. Although field tests may still be conducted, this new technology keeps deputies safer, and is a hands free way of handling potential life threatening substances. Tactic ID can identify any drug, by simply holding the device up to the container in which it’s in. The device can then show the purity of the substance and will use the DEAs standards to match and identify the drug. Once plugged into a computer, Tactic ID prints a summary of the substance. These print outs have been helpful to prosecuting attorney’s, and deputies will use them as probable cause in their search.
To show Kiwanians how the machine worked, Sheriff Landers held the machine up to a little baggie full of a white powder. After about a minute the machine identified the substance in the baggie as wheat flour. Sheriff Landers didn’t have to open the baggie, take a sample, or touch the powder directly. Although it was just flour, the machine identified the powder through the plastic baggie which was incredible to see! Kiwanis members were fascinated and very supportive of the steps taken to keep our county officers and deputies safer. Kiwanis members will meet next Thursday over lunch.
