Cherokee County Sheriff combines units

Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver says positive results are already being seen after his Office combined its investigative and narcotics units.  Shaver said that because the majority of burglary and theft crimes are related to illegal drugs, merging the units working together made sense. He said a lack of communication and coordination of efforts between the two units, and the high turnover rate of narcotics officers, have caused problems with drug enforcement in the county.  The new combined unit will be led by Chief Investigator Bo Jolly. It has purchased a drug-detecting K-9.  Shaver said the nature of narcotics work causes the high turnover rate. Combining the units will double the crime-fighting manpower, plus the shared responsibilities should reduce stress on the officers.