Waite Park Approves Restarting Police K9 Program

(KNSI) – Waite Park approved restarting its K9 program at Monday’s city council meeting. According to the Waite Park Police Department, Officer Andrew Lehmkuhl will be the department’s K9 handler once the dog, training, and needed equipment are in place. The department hopes to have the new K9 officer ready to go this summer.

Waite Park Police Chief Dave Bentrud says the agency had a long history of having a K9 unit, but due to the retirement of its handler in 2019, the WPPD K9 was given to the St. Cloud Police Department because they had an experienced handler without a K9 partner.

A statement from the WPPD says K9s are an essential tool for police departments in the tracking and apprehension of suspects, detecting and locating concealed illegal substances, and are visible deterrents for criminals. K9 officers also serve as community ambassadors at special events, help track missing persons, and search where humans can’t.

WPPD started getting the ball rolling on a new K9 after the department received a $7,500 grant through the AKC Reunite Adopt a K9 Cop program. Thanks to grant funding, private donations, and community organizations, the department has raised more than $27,000 for the K9 program. Officials say the K9 officer will cost around $70,000

To learn more about the K9 program or to donate, contact the City of Waite Park at 320-251-6300.

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