Munster police to add canine program

MUNSTER | A canine officer will join the Police Department later this year.

"Starting a canine program for the department has been a high priority for a number of years. There have been numerous incidents in the past year alone where a canine would have proved helpful," Police Chief Steve Scheckel told the Munster Town Council.

The council unanimously approved the implementation of the canine program after establishing that no taxpayer money would be used. Previously the Munster Board of Safety voted to support the program.

A fundraising effort will help gather $30,000 needed to buy a trained dog, pay for the canine and police handler to train together and to install a specialized cage and environmental system in a patrol vehicle, Scheckel said.

"We'll be sending out a solicitation for funds in the News You Can Use with the water bills and also solicitations to businesses and civic organizations," he said.

Maintaining the dog and supplies, as well as overtime for the canine handler, will be paid using revenue from the U.S. Department of Justice's asset forfeiture fund. The fund includes money taken from drug dealers. The annual amount needed is $58,000.

The canine officer will be used to search for drugs, track fugitives and missing persons and do "bite work" to bring down a suspect, Scheckel said.

Munster has relied on surrounding departments to provide canine services, but the dogs are not always available.

"Police departments utilize canines because they have a remarkable sense of smell and hearing," he said. "Canines do not experience fear, and as a result they will gladly give their life to protect their handler and fellow officers.

"These senses and bravery allow canines to perform functions that the human officer cannot."

A review committee will be convened to examine kennels and help select the dog, the chief said. The process also will help chose the handler.

The dog would go home with the officer and both would be on call 24/7, Scheckel said.

"Going into summer, we'd like to have the police officer selected and the dog in place," he said.