Stonington K9 Fritz to Retire, Police to Buy SUVs

Stonington’s four-legged crime fighter Fritz and his handler Officer Greg Howard were the town’s first K9 Unit and after six years, Fritz is ready to retire and Howard will pass the job onto someone else. 

Chief J. Darren Stewart told reporters at The Day that the town is planning for their replacements. 

A new dog will cost $7,000 and training will cost $6,000 and according to Board Police Commissions Chairman Scott Bates the price is worth it. Chief J. Darren Stewart said the K9 Unit “done a wonderful job,” and that he’ll begin start the process of selecting a K9 officer in January. 

The department will also buy three new Ford Interceptor SUV police cruisers, which will cost $106,535. They already have one and these next three fall in line with the department’s five-year fleet update.  They used to use Ford’s Crown Victoria cruiser but Ford discontinued the line in 2011, the Interceptor is the company’s first police SUV.

Click here to read the full report in The Day.