Reading disbands canine unit over labor dispute

READING - The police chief of this Berks County city is disbanding his department's canine unit, citing a dispute with the police union.

Chief William Heim said today that the dispute is over what qualifications a police officer must have to handle a police dog.

Heim said he had an unwritten agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police that officers must meet certain qualifications, according to the Reading Eagle. Those included not having been disciplined for excessive force and having a family that would accept a dog in the home.

FOP Vice President Thomas MacDougal said other than a physical exam, seniority should be the only factor in determining which officers get to handle police dogs. An arbitrator ruled in the union's favor in March.    -AP