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Westminster Police introduce service dog Thor; community nonprofit funded program
Summary
Westminster Police presented Thor, the department’s new two-year-old service Labrador, and recognized the Posse Bar Foundation for funding the dog and training costs. Thor will assist victims, witnesses and staff with stress and trauma response.
The Westminster Police Department introduced Thor, a two-year-old Labrador Retriever and the department’s first service dog, during the Jan. 8 city council meeting.
Police Chief (unnamed in the record) said Thor is trained to assist people under stress and will be used to help victims, witnesses and department staff cope with trauma. Thor’s handler is Reserve Officer Nunez; the chief said Nunez has more than 21 years of law enforcement experience and five years as a canine handler.
Mayor Wynne and the council presented a certificate of recognition to the Posse Bar Foundation and to owner John Gentile for raising funds to cover the purchase and training of Thor. “This is for the city and to make sure that the city has the support they need with, you know, not just crime and everything, but with mental health as well,” a Posse Bar Foundation representative said. Council members thanked the foundation and police department for the new service dog.
Thor will be deployed to assist victims and witnesses and to support department personnel; staff did not provide a written policy at the meeting detailing deployment protocols or reporting requirements. No formal council action was required for the gift; the council formally accepted the certificate and recognition.
