Sauk Rapids Police Department Welcomes Furry Recruit Ready for Paw-trol

(KNSI) — The newest member of the Sauk Rapids Police Department is ready for paw-trol.

K9 Bolt and handler Officer Jared Timm set out on their first shift together Wednesday night. The two trained together for the last 12 weeks and are now certified in narcotics and apprehension.

K9 Officer Bolt is a one-year-old German Shepherd from Slovakia. Officer Timm has been with the department for four years, but this is the first time as a handler.

Police Chief Perry Beise told KNSI News K9 Bolt will also be trained to search for evidence that might be thrown from a fleeing suspect, adding a K9 team is essential for law enforcement. “When there is certain dangerous situations, it would be more advantageous to send Bolt in instead of an officer into a building to search; that’s what he’s for. If we’re looking for narcotics, there’s almost nothing better than a dog that can detect that for you and tell you that they’re there.”

K9 Bolt will be the only K9 officer in the department. His arrival was made possible by $28,000 in donations from the local Lions Clubs, Five Star Plumbing in Sauk Rapids, Golden Gloves Boxing, and several residents. Beise says they’re very fortunate that we have the public’s support.

The department’s previous K9, Thunder, died from cancer nearly two years ago.

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