OPD Embarks on Multi-Purpose K-9 Campaign

Lt. McClun and his K9 partner Nash, were the last for Oskaloosa when Nash retired at the end of summer 2012. (file photo)

By Hailey Brown

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Prior to the hustle and bustle of the Oskaloosa City Council meeting on Monday, council members gathered in a study session to hear about the possibility of a new K-9 unit being purchased and trained by the Oskaloosa Police Department. During the study session, the council expressed support for the OPD to begin a $45,000 fundraising campaign for what historically would be the department’s third multi-purpose police canine.

K9 units are composed of skilled law enforcement officers coupled with a highly trained canine partner. These specially trained dogs are bred or chosen for their intelligence and strong sense of smell. Multi-purpose means the dog would be utilized for drug detection, building searches, protection of officers and community members, searching for missing or endangered persons and suspects, as well as article searching. The OPD would not be the first department in the region to acquire a K-9 unit. Neighboring counties such as the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Department and Jasper County Sheriff’s Department currently all utilize a K-9 unit within their respective departments.

“It’s a tool to help make our community a better, safer place to live and work,” says Oskaloosa Police Chief Jake McGee. “We have the ever present drug issues that we hear about every day in the news.”

“One of the other biggest things we forget about is missing an endangered adults and children,” says McGee of the capabilities that a K9 could bring to help find someone who may be lost. “Ninety-seven percent or better of a K9’s use is going to be with his nose, and sometimes people get the misconception that a K9 is only there to bite people. Really, it’s not,” added McGee.

McGee said that the Oskaloosa Police Department has had K9’s on the force for 16 prior years, “and we had one bite in 16 years previously.”

According to a press release sent by the department, the OPD has been without a K-9 unit since K-9 Nash retired in 2012, having served since 2003. Prior to K-9 Nash, K-9 Quest served the Oskaloosa community from 1996 – 2003. If all goes well, the department hopes to have the newest K-9 addition purchased and trained by next summer.

“I have a great appreciation for a canine’s team ability to detect drugs, locate missing and endangered persons, as well as cutting down the human resources and time spent doing so,” Police Chief Jake McGee stated in a press release sent out on Tuesday. Chief McGee believes it is the department’s mission to research and implement proactive programs to prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime, and improve the quality of life for those living in and around the Oskaloosa area.

If the department reaches the campaign goal of $45,000, Oskaloosa Police Officer Austin Rogers will be assigned to handle the multi-purpose police K-9.

Chief McGee said in the press release that the initial cost would cover the dog, obtain the required training and certification, equipment, and care for the K-9 unit. The $45,000 price tag would also cover the initial cost of outfitting a police vehicle to make it suitable for canine transportation. After the initial cost is covered, the press release stated that maintaining the dog will cost about $6,000 each year.

McGee said that the fundraising efforts are going well, and the feedback has been positive towards helping the department acquire the dog. “There’s not been one negative response to that,” and believes that the community feels as though the K9 is an important tool for the police department to have.

To help with the start-up cost, Chief McGee said that the department is also seeking out grant opportunities and other partnerships to contribute to the $45,000 total needed. McGee hopes to have the funding secured by October.

Those seeking more information may contact Chief McGee by calling 641-672-2559. Further information may also be found on the City of Oskaloosa’s website at www.oskaloosa.com and on the Oskaloosa Police Department Facebook page.

Additional reporting by Staff.

Posted by on Jul 9 2017. Filed under Local News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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