Sunbury police to retire K-9 Ace; department weighing grant for replacement as cruiser repairs continue

Sunbury Police Chief Steve Howard reported to the council on March 19 that the department plans to retire its nine-year-old K-9, Ace, and that Ace will be placed with his handler, Sergeant Mead.

Chief Howard said Ace was uncertified for roughly nine months while his handler was on medical leave and that it would not be cost-effective to re-certify him for a short remaining service window. Chief Howard also raised an operational concern: Ace was trained to alert for marijuana, and with legal changes in state law that can complicate probable-cause and Fourth Amendment considerations, he said, referencing practices other agencies have followed in retiring similarly imprinted dogs.

Replacement and costs: The chief said the department is exploring replacement options and grant funding; he cited an approximate K-9 replacement cost of about $20,000 and said the department has located grant programs near that amount and will follow up if traction is made.

Vehicles and maintenance: Chief Howard also updated the council on patrol vehicles. New cruisers are arriving and the department is transferring equipment from older cars. However he said one of the Tahoes is not being repaired immediately due to a lifter issue in the engine; he described ongoing warranty and manufacturer discussions and said newer vehicles purchased this year are under warranty, which reduces future repair exposure.

Why it matters: Retirement of a long-serving K-9 and the potential to procure a replacement affect patrol operations, community policing and training budgets. Cruiser availability and warranty status affect the police department’s daily capacity.

Evidence: Chief Howard’s report appears in the March 19 meeting transcript.