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Pataskala praises retiring K‑9 Joker, council asks police to update canine program policy
Summary
The council and police praised retiring K‑9 Joker for years of service, introduced new K‑9 Zela, and directed the police department and administration to develop updated policy language for the city’s canine program for council review and adoption.
Pataskala officials honored retiring K‑9 Joker and discussed updating the city’s canine program policy so the department and council have clear procedures for K‑9 retirements, handler transitions and oversight.
Chief Bruce Brooks and other speakers said Joker served about nine years and had been on what the chief estimated as “probably been on over a thousand calls in 9 years.” Chief Brooks also introduced Zela, a new canine that was recently introduced to the public and described as a “big hit.”
A councilmember asked for an updated written protocol now that the department operates more than one dog, saying the city needs clear procedures for retirement, handler changes and other checks and balances. Chief Brooks said he would “work on that this week” but noted that the legislative branch's involvement would be limited to review and possible adoption, while operational policy should be drafted by the police department.
Officer Scott McClellan was named several times in the meeting in relation to the canine program; the transcript records council members thanking him for his service and congratulating both him and Joker on the retirement.
Council did not take a formal vote on a revised K‑9 policy during the meeting; the transcript records direction to the chief and staff to draft policy language and bring it to council for review.
