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K-9 officer, new cars due for GPD
New rides and a new K-9 officer are coming soon for the Greencastle City Police Department.
In action at the September Greencastle Board of Works and Safety meeting, GPD was approved for the purchase of four new police vehicles and okayed for minor adjustments to the department’s Standard Operating Procedures document relative to the new K-9 officer about to join Kyle Lee as his partner.
GPD will be purchasing four 2016 Ford all-wheel-drive Police Interceptor SUVs from Andy Mohr Ford at the state bid price.
Chief Tom Sutherlin explained that by purchasing new 2016 police vehicles instead of 2017s, the city will save $10,000.
One of the new vehicles will replace a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria with more than 121,000 miles on it being driven by Det. Michael Collins. His old vehicle will be used as a trade-in.
The other three cars will replace 2010 Dodge Challengers currently driven by Officers Nick Eastham, Elsiana Crosby and Brad Hiatt.
Eastham and Hiatt’s vehicles will be moved to reserve officer use, while the Crosby car will be kept for a new officer to drive.
The car to be driven by Det. Collins will cost less than the other three at $26,965 because of fewer equipment needs, while the other three vehicles will run $30,925, according to the state bid price.
The vehicles will be financed over a three-year period through North Salem State Bank at 1.87 percent.
Mayor Bill Dory explained that the financing will be done “not because we can’t afford it (the car purchases) but for better cashflow purposes.
The mayor also noted that the city will be looking at a vehicle replacement program going forward.
By purchasing SUVs instead of Dodge Challengers or a like vehicle, GPD could get extended life out of the new cars, he suggested.
“They’re built a little heavier,” the mayor said, “so they may last one or two years longer.’
Meanwhile, Chief Sutherlin also reported that the new department K-9 -- a three-year-old, 90-pound German Shepherd named Cain -- is almost ready for action with GPD handler Lee.
Lee’s vehicle has already been modified to include a cage in the backseat. The dog has been narcotics certified and is still working on certification for tracking and apprehension purposes.
The Board of Works made a few adjustment to the policy, tweaking a 2003 policy with new language.
Changes included required compensation for Lee for the care of the animal. He will be allowed to start work 30 minutes later or leave his shift 30 minutes earlier to compensate for the time tending to Cain.
Acquisition of the K-9 officer and necessary paraphernalia totaled a one-time cost of $7,900, essentially all coming through community donations and fundraisers.
The city actually saved approximately $1,000 in the process, the chief said, by acquiring a Reelsville-raised German Shepherd instead of another out-of-state dog that would have required transport costs.
Cain has been trained and certified by John Holcomb at facilities in Parke County. Holcomb also trained the K-9s for the Cloverdale and Roachdale police departments among others in Indiana.
Sutherlin also noted that acquisition of a bulletproof vest for the dog is expected to be covered by grant funds.
The chief noted that the K-9 will be available to assist in tracking lost children, criminals, dementia patients and more.
“We are not going to use him for drug interdiction on the interstate,” Sutherlin said, “unless we’re called in because no other dogs are available.”
Sutherlin promised to bring the new K-9 officer to a later Board of Works meeting to introduce him to the members.
A resolution adopting changes to the department SOP in regard to the K-9 officer was passed unanimously on a motion by Craig Tuggle and subsequent aye votes by Trudy Selvia and Mayor Dory.