Pictured is ISP Clandestine Lab Technician, Luke Waikel, wearing some of the protective equipment along with the new trailer and equipment. (Photo provided)

WARSAW — Local police agencies recently obtained new equipment that allows certified clandestine drug lab officers the opportunity to respond quicker to clandestine labs (meth labs) where they can render them safe.

With the help of multiple agencies throughout Kosciusko County, a new response trailer was recently placed into service. The trailer and equipment, which is housed locally, allows certified clandestine drug lab officers from the Warsaw Police Department, Winona Lake Police Department and Indiana State Police, the opportunity to respond to clandestine labs and begin the evidence collection and technical clean-up process much sooner than waiting for a regional response vehicle.

Prior to receiving this equipment, if a clandestine lab was located in Kosciusko County, the Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team would be called to respond. Traditionally, this ISP team would respond from the state police post in Bremen, or even as far away as Lowell. It could sometimes take 2 to 4 hours for the regional vehicle to arrive, or even longer, depending if the regional team was already working a case. So, depending on the local lab, this could tie up law enforcement and fire fighters for extended periods of time.

The trailer and equipment was obtained following national Drug Enforcement Administration certification of several local officers from the Warsaw and Winona Lake police departments. The 40 hour DEA training, held in Quantico, Va., certified these officers in clandestine lab collection, storage and disposal.

In addition, these officers completed 24 hours of on-the-job training, and must complete eight hours of refresher training each year, to maintain their certification. These officers utilize specific personal protective equipment and are subject a respiratory protection program and medical monitoring, due to the hazardous chemicals involved in clandestine labs.

It is the hope of the Kosciusko County Centralized Drug Unit that additional officers from other agencies across Kosciusko County will be trained and certified.

The local team is available to assist any agency who requests them. The Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab team may still assist and respond. ISP is responsible for the long term storage and disposal of the chemicals.

This project was made possible with assistance from the following organizations; Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Warsaw Police Department, Winona Lake Police Department, Leesburg Fire Department, Winona Lake Fire Department, Warsaw-Wayne Township Fire Department, Lutheran EMS Kosciusko and the Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Section.