Police Department Plans to Buy New Service Dog

Brecksville plans to buy and train a new police dog, which will likely join the force in the fall.

Brecksville City Council approved $10,800 for the purchase, training and certification of a new police service dog at .

Police dogs help with duties like narcotics detection and tracking, said Police Chief Richard E. Mannarino. The ’s last dog retired in 2010 after about nine years of service, and the police have noticed a need.

Mayor Jerry N. Hruby echoed that need, saying the department thinks “it’s a good time now.” There is an officer who has expressed an interest in training and working with the dog.

The dog is guaranteed for the first two years, in case it gets sick or injured or is unable to be trained. Mannarino said the company, Excel K-9 Services, will likely get the dog in August and begin training it. The dog will be with the department by the fall and will go through another six weeks of training.

Council also approved the spending of about $4,400 for the necessary equipment to update one of the old Crown Vics for a police dog. The car needs to have an insert for the dog to ride in, as well as a “bail-out system” so that the dog can get out in the case of an emergency.