Operation Unite Manager For Big Sandy Task Force Named

HEADLINE: OPERATION UNITE MANAGER FOR BIG SANDY TASK FORCE NAMED

BYLINE: States News Service

DATELINE: WASHINGTON

BODY:
The office of Rep. Harold Rogers, R-Ky., issued the following press release:

Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-5) announced today that Scott Barker, a 24 year veteran with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has been named Manager of the Operation UNITE Big Sandy Narcotics Task Force.

As Manager, Barker will coordinate drug investigations on a regional basis and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Task Force. The Big Sandy Task Force serves the counties of Bath, Rowan, Menifee, Morgan, Lawrence, Magoffin, Johnson, Floyd, Martin, and Pike.

"Scott Barker has more than two decades of experience in narcotics investigation," Rogers said. "We are counting on him to use his far-reaching knowledge and extensive contacts within the law enforcement community to get dealers off the streets."

Barker is a native of Morehead and holds a BS in Law Enforcement from Eastern Kentucky University and a MA in Management and Supervision from Central Michigan University. Barker began his law enforcement career in 1974 as a Dispatcher and Police Officer with the Morehead Police Department. Barker went on to serve in the United States Army Military Police Corps for four years and was honorably discharged at the rank of Captain. Barker joined the FBI in 1980 and worked in a number of roles including: narcotics coordinator for the state of Kansas; SWAT member of the New York City division; and most recently as the state drug program and HIDTA coordinator for Kentucky. Barker retired from the FBI this past February after 24 years of service.

Operation UNITE, which stands for Unlawful, Narcotics, Investigation, Treatment, & Education, serves 29 counties in southern and eastern Kentucky. The region-wide program focuses on three main tasks: creating regional drug task forces for interdiction, confiscation, and undercover operations; organizing local citizens' groups and coordinating drug treatment programs; and working with educators to expand drug awareness and education programs. Rogers has included $16 million in the federal budget over the last two years to create and operate the new counter-drug initiative.