Atlantic City K-9 officer, Frank Timek, at home today with his partner, Vader. Atlantic City K-9 dogs are off the streets, at least for now. Staff photo by Danny Drake.
ATLANTIC CITY - The Langford administration ordered major changes to the city's Police Department on Monday that could save city money, quell resident complaints and, at the same time, possibly put the public's safety at risk.
Business Administrator Michael Scott ordered Police Chief John J. Mooney to indefinitely cease the use of police canines and prohibit officers, along with other resort officials, from bringing their city-issued vehicles home.
The orders are part of two separate goals of Mayor Lorenzo Langford: Saving taxpayer money through limiting the use of all city-owned cars and responding to local criticism of the use of police dogs and alleged abuse of their tactics.
But Mooney said the directives are solely an attempt to politically attack him and his department. He said Monday he plans to sue the city, claiming the mayor does not have the authority to interfere with the department's daily operation.
"The Police Department is being targeted by the administration," Mooney said. "I think it's political in nature and clearly directed at me."
Since Langford won the Democratic primary in June, historically tantamount to a general election in the city, he has pushed for greater power over city police, a department he has had a volatile relationship with in the past. Most notably, Langford is pressing City Council to re-create a public safety director position with authority over police and fire chiefs.
"People have lost a great deal of confidence in our Police Department," said Kevin Hall, Langford's spokesman. "We're trying to let the citizenry know that someone has been hearing them."
Last month, Langford issued an order through his business administrator to cease the use of the department's K-9 Unit until the administration could review complaints pertaining to how the dogs are handled. Atlantic County Prosecutor Ted Housel sent a letter to the administration asking that the order only restrict dogs used with apprehension, emphasizing the importance of canines that detect narcotics and explosives.
Hall said Monday that the administration complied with that request. However, Mooney said he decided that if some dogs are taken off the street, none of them will be used.
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