Westmoreland K-9 Dispute: Sheriff Activates Program Amidst Budget Clash

Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert activated a new K-9 unit on Wednesday, ending months of negotiation with county commissioners over the program's funding and approval. The move places a 2.5-year-old German shepherd-Belgian Malinois mix named Makro and handler Deputy Joshua Porter on active duty, a step Albert took after stating he would no longer wait for legislative sign-off.

Commissioners responded in a two-page letter asserting that Albert lacked the authority to unilaterally implement the program. The officials stated the county would review all available options. They maintained that Albert had not addressed fiscal concerns and argued the program should have been presented before the dog was acquired in June.

Commissioner Ted Kopas criticized the sheriff's approach, saying the dispute could have been avoided had Albert consulted the board earlier. Kopas described the situation as potential willful mismanagement, gross negligence, or incompetence. He noted that Albert often avoids being present during resolution efforts, complicating the process.

In a letter sent Monday, Albert claimed his statutory authority as a constitutionally elected sheriff allowed him to operate without interference. He argued that waiting for approval left the dog and deputy inactive, preventing them from reinforcing training. Albert said the team will now inspect holding cells for potential firearms in district judge offices throughout the county.

The financial dispute centers on the cost of adding the handler to the duty roster. Commissioners demanded Albert eliminate one full-time or two part-time deputy positions to offset expenses. These costs include half-hour daily overtime mandated by state law for police canine handlers. Albert countered that donations covered feeding, housing, transport, and training, but acknowledged that the handler was off work for 51 days to facilitate Makro's training.

Albert stated that Deputy Porter lost more than $10,080 in pay during that suspension, a loss the deputy is not seeking to recoup. Commissioners questioned the realism of the sheriff's financial estimates, specifically regarding the assignment of the K-9 team to the fugitive warrant division. That unit is currently reorganizing after the paid suspension of its section leader.

The commissioners also highlighted that the warrant team accrued tens of thousands of dollars in overtime this year. They argued that adding the K-9 unit to that division increased the overall expense. Additionally, officials noted that Makro remains contractually bound to the handler rather than the county until a formal agreement is finalized. They contended Albert had no power to acquire assets or enter compensation deals with unions representing the 70 deputies without board approval.