GLENWOOD | Glenwood Police Department's smallest crime fighter is set to retire from the force.
The Village Board last week approved a retirement date for the police force's sole canine officer, Portos.
"He's 7 years old, and he's kind of outlived his usefulness," Police Chief Brian Smith said.
The board also approved a request to sell Portos to his handler, Sgt. Joe Willet, for $1.
Portos has been suffering from health problems lately, Smith said.
"He found a lot of drugs," he said. "Sometimes you can't detect smells through the human nose, but a dog could.
"The dog was very valuable in that aspect."
Although Portos' departure leaves Glenwood with no police dogs, Smith said the department may add one in the future if the budget allows.
"It was an expensive amenity to the department," he said.
Besides the money police departments pay for the general and medical care of police dogs, they pay extra money to the officers who handle them.
