‘Tater' retired due to poor health

Senior staff writer

Colbert police officers will be learning more about how to investigate automobile crashes.

During a special meeting Tuesday, Colbert Council voted for all five full-time police officers to take the class. Chief John Polston made the request. He said that if a large enough class can be scheduled, it could be held at city hall. Polston is seeking participation from other area law enforcement agencies. The instructor is from Oklahoma City.

He said it will be a benefit to the police officers.

“I think they're lacking the skills in the investigation parts of the accidents,” Polston said.

In other action, the department formally retired it's drug dog, “Tater,” due to poor health. A former officer has been caring for the canine and the council voted to let him keep him.

Polston was not sure when the department will obtain another drug dog.

“I think there will be a point in time where we will be able to have another drug dog, but I don't think it will be anytime soon,” he said.

In other business, the council tabled action on the Colbert Schools police officer. Bobby Brashier is beginning his third year of a program that Polston said is working well.

The town plans to keep the officer at the school, but Polston asked to change the contract so Brashier can be utilized during the summer months and other time off to save his department overtime costs.