"Narc" is part of the lexicon -- and many popular cop shows -- because most police departments have narcotics divisions. They're often filled with undercover investigators, men and women charged with infiltrating criminal organizations to break up illegal drug operations.

But recently Minneapolis police leaders decided to disband their narcotics unit, reportedly making the department one of only a few nationally without one. Chief Tim Dolan chose to eliminate the division and reassign its 14 officers, in part, to help address an expected $5 million budget deficit.

The change is also being made, say police officials, because the majority of drug-related cases are being handled by other units, including community resource teams, a violent offender team and the recently restarted gang unit.

If drug enforcement can be maintained or improved, then the reorganization makes sense. But if the more decentralized approach is found lacking, the department should stay open to revisiting the issue.

A few city police agencies have done just that after downsizing or dismantling narcotics departments in the wake of scandal or misconduct. In New Haven, for example, the narcotics squad was eliminated in early 2007 after two of its investigators were arrested by the FBI on corruption charges. Around the same time, Atlanta shut down its narcotics unit after the 2006 police killing of a 92-year-old woman during a botched drug raid. That division was out of business for about a year. During its hiatus, drug arrests were down, and murders, robberies and burglaries had each risen by 25 percent or more in one part of the city. In both cities the narcotics units were resurrected.

Some Minneapolis police and community activists worry that this city might have a similar outcome. They're understandably concerned that years of drug enforcement and case management experience could be wasted by breaking up the unit. However, department leaders could make sure that reassigned officers put their expertise to use in their new assignments.

One outstate drug enforcement officer said it is crucial to maintain many functions of the unit -- under any name. Sgt. Rebecca Howell, a Wright County officer and a board member of a statewide narcotics officers association, said that what happens on the drug front in Minneapolis affects communities like hers throughout the state. So whether the work is done from a narcotics, vice, violent offenders or gang unit, it is essential to coordinate efforts and promote good communications between departments.

Minneapolis police leaders make a reasonable case for the organizational change, arguing that much of the drug activity is covered by other units, and budget issues demand reallocating resources. Even so, it's a move worth watching. Chief Dolan himself, who restarted the unit a few years ago, admits that he doesn't know if his cops will be as effective with drug cases.

That's why the public and the department should carefully follow the department's more decentralized drug enforcement effort and monitor how well it works.