K9 police officers are usually an invaluable member of any police department that they are a part of. In addition to adding that extra level of security while on patrol, police K9s also help with drug detection, suspect apprehension, and community outreach, among other important functions. So, when a department gets its first k9, it is a big step towards providing better service to the community that they serve.

Wrex receives his training

Wrex is a perfect example of a department taking on a K9 officer for the first time. The 3-year-old Labrador was donated to the Clinton Maine Police Department by a state trooper. Once assigned to the Clinton Maine Police Department Wrex started training with the All Points Maine Police Canines training group.

What Wrex does for the Clinton Maine Police Department

Wrex’s main job with the department is to help track down drugs in the Clinton community. And while Wrex’s assignment to the department was more recent, the idea had been in the works for a while, according to Chief Stanley “Rusty” Bell.

What is involved in Wrex’s training

As a part of becoming a part of the department, Wrex and his handler, Officer Jimmy Leathers, train six times a month with All Points Main Police Canines. All Points Maine Police Canines trains K9 officers throughout the area, including Franklin, Kennebec, Knox, Somerset, and Washington counties, Maine. The goal of the trainers at the program is to have Wrex ready for service in February 2020.

Wrex will be an asset for communities surrounding Clinton

“Wrex will be used for drug detection,” Chief Bell said. “Surrounding communities will be able to call on him if they have a vehicle stopped and suspect they might have drug activity. He’ll be able to perform a search and determine whether there’s probable cause for the officer to go in further.”

The particular drugs that Wrex is being trained to detect include cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and MDMA, also known as Ecstasy.

“He’s doing great in training. He’s been making some really big strides so far,” Leathers says, further stating that Wrex is a natural at police work.

Bell and Leathers introduce Wrex to the community

Bell and Leathers attended a town board meeting where they introduced Wrex and their plans for him to the community members and board members.

“Drugs are a real issue and I know that there’s a lot that goes on in the town,” Bell said. “The biggest thing I hear from people is, ‘what are you doing about drugs?’ and I think this (Wrex) is a piece of getting what might be coming in and out of the town.”

Using Wrex as a part of community outreach

Furthermore, Leathers feels that Wrex can be a bridge to a better relationship between his department and the community, stating, “It’s exciting. We’ll be able to be a more important asset. I feel like it could also change some people’s outlook on the Clinton Police Department, make it more positive.”

Here is a video with more on K9 training and how much K9 officers mean to the police departments in which they serve.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: FitLife Productions