EXETER >> Exeter Police have some important positions to fill following the retirement of K-9 officers.
With that in mind, the Berks County District Attorney’s Office has decided to help township police with the process by awarding the Exeter Police Department a grant.
Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams made an appearance at Monday’s Board of Supervisors meeting to award a check of $10,400 to the K-9 Unit.
“For years, the Exeter Township Police K-9 Unit has worked closely with other agencies in Berks County, including the District Attorney’s Office, to further investigations into both dangerous explosives and illegal drugs,” according to a release from the police department. “In the spirit of that mutual effort and cooperation, Mr. Adams presented the Police Department with a generous check for $10,400 for the Police K-9 Unit.”
The money will be used to offset the cost of replacing the two dogs that have retired from Exeter Police Department, according to authorities.
The most recent K-9 to retire from the department was Mako, who worked his last shift with handler, Darrin Gartner at the end of September. Mako served with Gartner since 2008 as narcotics and patrol dog. He retired after being diagnosed with an inoperable mass.
Dogs that work with the Exeter Police Department are all crossed-trained in patrol and either explosives or narcotics training. With a full force, Exeter Police K-9 Unit has two explosives detection dogs and two narcotics detection dogs.
