The Zionsville Police Dept. will soon welcome it’s newest officer. In a little more than a month, Chief Robert Knox and his staff will receive the department’s first K9 member in almost nine years.
The department will be sending Officer J. Wayde Knox, currently in the Patrol Division of ZPD, to Vohne Liche Kennels in Peru for six weeks to train along side his new canine partner.
“The canines are cross-trained for the dual purposes of drug and narcotics searches and for tracking missing persons. Our department has worked well with other local canine units, but we want to be able to contribute and start pulling our own weight,” Knox said. “While we hope that we never need the services of the canine unit, we’re glad it’s there and we’ll be ready to go.”
The initial price tag for the purchase of the canine and training for both handler and canine is $20,000. A purchase that, due to budgetary constraints, has been funded entirely by local donors and citizens of Zionsville. The Zionsville Animal Hospital will be the official veterinary care provider and will be working with ZPD to keep costs manageable for the continued care including, vaccinations, spay/neuter, etc.
The purchase of a new police SUV, outfitted for the specific needs of a K9 unit, has been ordered and was part of the procedural vehicle rotation and replacement within the force so no additional tax dollars were necessary. While ZPD has received sufficient funds to purchase the canine and fulfill officer Knox’s training, they are relying on donors to purchase the necessary equipment and supplies that will be required for the day-to-day care of the dog.
The Zionsville Police Dept. K9 Fund is a Tax 5013C exempt fund, and donations can be made to: The Zionsville Police Dept., Attention: Zionsville Police Dept. K9 Fund, 1075 Parkway Dr., Zionsville, IN 46077 or may be dropped off at the department Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
