DAYTON DAILY NEWS Copyright (c) 1995, Dayton Newspapers Inc.DATE: Tuesday, February 14, 1995 TAG: 9502140121EDITION: CITY SECTION: NEWS PAGE: 1A SOURCE: By Tom Beyerlein and Benjamin Kline DAYTON DAILY NEWS OFFICER CHARGED WITH DRUG DEALING A Dayton police officer twice commended for making drug busts stood before a judge Monday, facing charges he was a heroin trafficker. Charles F. Childs, 36, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment to the aggravated drug-trafficking charge, which carries a mandatory 18 months' imprisonment. Bond was set at $500,000 after an undercover Dayton police officer told the judge that Childs reportedly threatened potential witnesses. Childs denied this. Childs' Sunday arrest at the police department's Third District headquarters was the culmination of a months-long police probe, Interim policechief John R. Thomas said at a Monday news conference. Police recovered 31 capsules of heroin after they searched Childs' personal vehicle, cruiser and office area, Thomas said. He has been suspended without pay. Police investigated Childs after "concerns were raised through anonymous and other sources regarding some activities of this officer," Thomas said. Childs, an April 1990 graduate of the police academy, had worked in the First District in northeast Dayton. The 1978 Fairview High School graduate later was assigned to the Third District in southwest Dayton. Childs' personnel record contained several commendations and several reprimands, but "no major infractions," Thomas said. A February 1993 commendation recognized Childs for helping in the arrests of drug dealers in the Edgewood Courts and Summit Courts areas. LENGTH: Short : 41 LINESILLUSTRATION: COLOR PHOTO: Childs (Charles F.)SUBJ: DRUG TRAFFICKING POLICE OFFICERS NA: CHARLES F. CHILDS ENHANCER: REF7