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Police introduce new K-9 ‘Tommy’; officers volunteered long drive to retrieve dog under grant
Summary
Middleton police introduced a new canine named Tommy, acquired through a K9 grant. Officers volunteered an extended multi-day drive to pick up the dog out of state, and the council asked staff to document travel costs so the city may reimburse officers’ out-of-pocket expenses.
Middleton police on March 5 introduced a new police canine, named “Tommy,” that the department acquired through a canine grant.
Sergeant Hilke introduced Tommy to the City Council, saying the dog came via a K-9 grant and arrived after officers drove to pick him up and returned late the day before the meeting. The chief and council members described the officers’ trip as an extended volunteer effort: officers reported driving long hours, sleeping in vehicles and forgoing overtime so they could retrieve the dog without using city overtime funds.
The chief said the canine (described as a mixed breed, about 3 years old) will begin canine academy training with the Idaho State Police and that the police department will select a handler the day after the meeting. The chief asked to report the selected handler and let the council know when interviews are complete.
Council members expressed appreciation and asked staff to prepare a cost summary — including vehicle rental or fuel costs and incidental expenses — so the council could consider reimbursing officers for out-of-pocket costs. One council member said the officers’ effort “was above and beyond” and urged the council to acknowledge it.
The chief said the city will reimburse vehicle rental and fuel costs and will provide a written summary of other expenses that may not be reimbursable. The council applauded officers for the effort and asked for a follow-up report on the final handler selection.
