In a photo provided by Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, a suspect is taken into custody after a Net43 operation earlier this year.

WARSAW — The unified drug task force in Kosciusko County — known as Net43 — is being solidified.

Less than a year after Net43 began operating, steps are being taken to more formally establish its protocols through a memo of understanding among the participating agencies, which include Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Winona Lake Police and Warsaw Police.

Paperwork approved by the Warsaw Board of Works and Safety outlines protocol for various policies.

Warsaw Police Chief Scott Whitaker. File photo.

The formal transition is an indication that the unified effort is here to stay after it became part of Sheriff Kyle Dukes’ campaign pledges when he was first elected last year.

The main focus of Net43 is to target and disrupt illegal drug distribution in Kosciusko County with improved communication and coordination of police activities.

In a matter of months, Net43 has been credited with dozens of high-profile arrests including one this week in Warsaw, said Warsaw Police Chief Scott Whitaker.

The memo of understanding, which was drawn up by the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office, also establishes a governing body made up of leaders from the participating police agencies that will review finances, statistics and performance of the group, according to a copy of the paperwork.

The agreement also addresses details for asset forfeiture issues, equipment, and disciplinary issues.

Net43 was formally introduced in March. Until now, they had been working under a verbal agreement, Whitaker said.

The new arrangement provides for less conflict among agencies, Whitaker said after Friday’s meeting.

“It’s all about jurisdiction,” Whitaker said. “The jurisdictional boundaries have always created conflict, it’s created hardship in a lot of ways. It certainly makes it easier.”

About seven people from different agencies are part of Net43, Whitaker said.

Whitaker said he’d like to see WPD’s participation grow in the future. They currently have two officers assigned to Net43.

“I could see us requesting additional officers as the team continues to grow,” Whitaker said.

Before that happens, the department needs to be fully staffed, he said.