DARLINGTON - The Darlington Police Department is going to the dogs next year.
The Darlington Common Council on Tuesday approved a resolution supporting a first canine unit for the 144-year-old department. Police Chief Jason King said the department will use the unit for crime deterrence, drug interdiction, criminal apprehension, tracking missing persons, and more.
"Darlington enjoys a very high quality of living and a very low crime rate," King said. "The members of the Darlington Police Department intend to keep it that way."
He said deploying a canine unit will help keep the nation's growing drug problem and crime concerns from adversely affecting Darlington. King told the Police Commission and the Common Council that at least 25 police departments in Wisconsin and northern Illinois communities of less than 10,000 residents have canine units.
However, the department first must raise about $22,300. Tax dollars won't be used, and officers agreed to raise funds through grants and donations between now and October 2010, when the canine unit is expected to be deployed. This week, Alliant Energy agreed to a dollar-for-dollar match of the department's fundraising efforts. Also, the Department of Justice offered a $7,274 Innovative Law Enforcement Program grant.
The Darlington Common Council on Tuesday approved a resolution supporting a first canine unit for the 144-year-old department. Police Chief Jason King said the department will use the unit for crime deterrence, drug interdiction, criminal apprehension, tracking missing persons, and more.
"Darlington enjoys a very high quality of living and a very low crime rate," King said. "The members of the Darlington Police Department intend to keep it that way."
He said deploying a canine unit will help keep the nation's growing drug problem and crime concerns from adversely affecting Darlington. King told the Police Commission and the Common Council that at least 25 police departments in Wisconsin and northern Illinois communities of less than 10,000 residents have canine units.
However, the department first must raise about $22,300. Tax dollars won't be used, and officers agreed to raise funds through grants and donations between now and October 2010, when the canine unit is expected to be deployed. This week, Alliant Energy agreed to a dollar-for-dollar match of the department's fundraising efforts. Also, the Department of Justice offered a $7,274 Innovative Law Enforcement Program grant.