POLICE K9 UNIT - Help Start!

[Dr.Ken Sokolowski]

A WPD Press Release,

Fundraising Begins for K9 Unit

$10,000 Goal

March 15, 2005

The Wethersfield Town Council has authorized the Police Department to obtain, train, and utilize a canine in the Town of Wethersfield. The dog would be cross-trained to alert to drugs and be able to search for persons. These are two areas that would be very beneficial to the Police Department and therefore very beneficial to the citizens and businesses of Wethersfield.

The only drawback is the fact that the Council cannot fund the project. We, the WPD, must get the startup funds through the generosity of the citizenry and the businesses in Wethersfield.

Gene Falcone, a citizen-volunteer, has been authorized to solicit funds for this project and an account has been set up through the Wethersfield Finance Department. Any contribution would be most appreciated and is tax deductible.

Please make out the check to the Wethersfield Canine Fund and send it to this department along with the accompanying form (152 KB PDF). Our goal is to raise $10,000 dollars.

[Dr.Ken Sokolowski]

From the Town Council minutes 3/7/2005: The Creation of a:

"Police Canine Unit

Deputy Mayor Karangekis moved “TO APPROVE A CANINE UNIT IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TO APPROVE FUND RAISING AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS TO FUND THE EXPENSES FOR ACQUISITION OF A DOG, RELATED EQUIPMENT, OUTFITTING OF A POLICE CRUISER AND VETERINARY CARE”, seconded by Councilor Fortunato.

Town Manager Bonnie Therrien explained that Chief Cetran brought this concept forward to her and it is an important part of public safety. She said that she agrees that the animal does good work, but informed the Chief that it cannot cost the Town anything and must be self-supporting.

Chief Cetran said that he is agreeable to the Police Department funding this on their own. He said that this is something that the Police Department has been lacking for years and they lose a lot of potential suspects in waiting to “borrow” the service from another community. He said that a police dog is essential in the narcotics realm and he would like permission to move forward with the project.

Councilor Hemmann asked about damage to the Police car due to the dog and if the outfitted cruiser will need to be replaced with another. She also asked what shift will be utilizing the dog. Chief Cetran said that the shift will be 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Councilor Hemmann asked if the Officer will receive overtime if the dog is needed on another shift. Chief Cetran said that he will receive overtime. Town Manager Bonnie Therrien explained that one vehicle will be held back from being sold to cover the outfitted vehicle.

Deputy Mayor Karangekis stated that this is long overdue and there were many times when he was Chief that delays in obtaining a dog hindered their efforts. He said that the dogs are a very important tool in the Police arsenal. Deputy Mayor Karangekis commended the Police Department for initiating this as it will be a plus for Wethersfield.

Councilor Fortunato asked if Double A Vet is willing to incur the cost of food and veterinary bills in addition to volunteering to help take care of the dog. Chief Cetran said that they are. Councilor Fortunato asked if they have indicated how long this support will be available. Officer Arduini said that Double A Vet has offered medical care for the life of the program and they will provide food through donations they receive. Councilor Fortunato suggested that a written memorandum of understanding be drafted with Double A Vet. She asked the Chief if he has an idea of how many times the Town has had to use this service from another community. Chief Cetran said that the Department could probably use an animal several times per week and there are a lot of pro-active uses for the dog, especially relating to drugs.

Councilor Czernicki asked the Chief if the dog would be used during the day for services such as periodic school locker “sniffs” and community outreach programs. Chief Cetran said that it would be used for this purpose and would not be considered overtime as the schedule is flexible enough that the shift could be switched to daytime rather than evening on those particular days. He said that overtime would occur if a major crime was committed.

All Councilors present, including the Chairperson, voted AYE. The motion passed 8-0-0."