 |
|||
|
HOLLAND
COLLEGE • January 14, 2003
|
|||
|
|
INSIDE |
COLLEGE
|
|
|
|
|||
| K-9
Spiffs Up Police Force By Adam Ferguson A new recruit will be welcomed to the Charlottetown police force after he finishes his training in Summerside. Noble, a K-9 from Saskatoon, is completing training exercises with trainer Sid Stead. That work includes, getting used to the scent of things, the dog has to become accostmed to working with people and learning his surroundings. Weather conditions have not allowed them to work outside. A police officer and car are dedicated to the K-9. Also arrangements have been made with the veterinarian college for regular check-ups. “One of the prerequisites to the dog’s arrival was that he was to live with the officer or handler he would work with,” said Mitch Tweel, chair of the city’s police committee. A lot of planning and hard work has gone into the dog said Tweel. The dog arrived before Christmas and immediately started drills inside city schools. The cost for the dog was $20,000, but Tweel said it was worth every penny. “The dog is equivalent to 80 police officers,” he said. “The ground the the K-9 can cover is Phenomenal.” Tweel mentioned that it would have been nice to have the dog for the Crystal Beairsto was murdered on the Confederation Trail. Charlottetown police waited three hours for a dog from Moncton. “The weather could have very well contaminated some of the evidence by then,” said Tweel. There is a growing demand for K-9s in police forces across Canada said Tweel. Even penitentary’s are bringing in dogs to help find drugs inmates may be hiding. “I know Halifax has at least six dogs and Calgary has 19 or 20,” he said. “Someday we plan to have more than one.” With the addition of the dog, Tweel is confident that the Charlottetown police for has recently become one of the best in North America. “If you look at our officers, cars and uniforms we are very profesional, it makes us proud.” |
|||