DARLINGTON - The Darlington Police Department is ready to welcome Kilo, its first police dog.
Officer James Johnson, who has been with the department for three years, has been training with Kilo in North Carolina for the past five weeks. Kilo, a 14-month-old German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois crossbreed, was taken to North Carolina from Hungary in early October, said Jason King, Darlington police chief.
"I haven't seen the dog yet so I'm looking forward to it," King said.
After a six-week training course, Johnson will be certified in dog handling, and he and Kilo will begin working the streets. King said Kilo will be on active duty in Darlington around Nov. 15.
King said there are several reasons why the police department wanted its own dog.
He cited three incidents of missing children in Darlington. Although each of the children were eventually found, King said a dog could have reduced the amount of time it took to find them.
"Instead of hours, it could take minutes," King said.
In one instance, the Monroe Police Department dog was called in to help find a child because the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department's dog was busy with another case.
A dog can also be used to find criminals.
King recalled one recent case when a man ran away from officers, crossed the river and went into the woods. A police dog could have found the man more quickly, King said.
A police dog also sends a message to people who use and sell drugs, he said.
"We can use the dog to detect drugs," King said. "I think every community should have a police dog, if it's possible. People who use drugs and sell drugs know a city is serious about cracking down on crime when it gets a canine unit."
Lafayette County Sheriff Scott Pedley said the sheriff's department hopes to use Darlington's dog in an emergency.
"If our dog is on the other side of the county, I think we'll be able to use Darlington's police dog if we need to," Pedley said.
King agreed, saying his department will work with the sheriff's department whenever it can.
The Darlington City Council authorized the purchase for a police dog in October 2009.
Thus far, police have raised about $23,000 for the canine unit with the help of grants and donations from the public. About $24,500 is needed for the unit and an additional $7,000 in needed to cover equipment, food and veterinary expenses during the seven years the police department expects to have the dog.
King said no taxpayer dollars have been used for the canine unit.
To help raise money for the dog and for expenses, the police department will hold a fish dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday in the community room at First Banking Center, located at the intersection of Wisconsin 81 and Wis. 23.
Officers and their families will be serve baked cod, baked potatoes, coleslaw and dessert. Donations will be taken for the meals.
Anyone who wants to make a donation to the canine unit can drop off their donation at the police department, 627 Main St., Darlington.
Officer James Johnson, who has been with the department for three years, has been training with Kilo in North Carolina for the past five weeks. Kilo, a 14-month-old German Shepherd and Belgian Malinois crossbreed, was taken to North Carolina from Hungary in early October, said Jason King, Darlington police chief.
"I haven't seen the dog yet so I'm looking forward to it," King said.
After a six-week training course, Johnson will be certified in dog handling, and he and Kilo will begin working the streets. King said Kilo will be on active duty in Darlington around Nov. 15.
King said there are several reasons why the police department wanted its own dog.
He cited three incidents of missing children in Darlington. Although each of the children were eventually found, King said a dog could have reduced the amount of time it took to find them.
"Instead of hours, it could take minutes," King said.
In one instance, the Monroe Police Department dog was called in to help find a child because the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department's dog was busy with another case.
A dog can also be used to find criminals.
King recalled one recent case when a man ran away from officers, crossed the river and went into the woods. A police dog could have found the man more quickly, King said.
A police dog also sends a message to people who use and sell drugs, he said.
"We can use the dog to detect drugs," King said. "I think every community should have a police dog, if it's possible. People who use drugs and sell drugs know a city is serious about cracking down on crime when it gets a canine unit."
Lafayette County Sheriff Scott Pedley said the sheriff's department hopes to use Darlington's dog in an emergency.
"If our dog is on the other side of the county, I think we'll be able to use Darlington's police dog if we need to," Pedley said.
King agreed, saying his department will work with the sheriff's department whenever it can.
The Darlington City Council authorized the purchase for a police dog in October 2009.
Thus far, police have raised about $23,000 for the canine unit with the help of grants and donations from the public. About $24,500 is needed for the unit and an additional $7,000 in needed to cover equipment, food and veterinary expenses during the seven years the police department expects to have the dog.
King said no taxpayer dollars have been used for the canine unit.
To help raise money for the dog and for expenses, the police department will hold a fish dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday in the community room at First Banking Center, located at the intersection of Wisconsin 81 and Wis. 23.
Officers and their families will be serve baked cod, baked potatoes, coleslaw and dessert. Donations will be taken for the meals.
Anyone who wants to make a donation to the canine unit can drop off their donation at the police department, 627 Main St., Darlington.