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Belvidere police accept donations to buy K‑9 training, authorize sale of K‑9 Xylo and approve recruitment video
Summary
The committee approved acceptance of a $15,000 donation to buy K‑9 training and equipment, accepted $3,500 from Boone County Crime Stoppers to facilitate sale of K‑9 Xylo back to his previous handler, and approved a $4,940 recruitment‑video purchase for the police department.
The City of Belvidere’s Committee of the Whole on April 14 approved multiple police‑related items: acceptance of a private $15,000 donation to cover a K‑9 training and equipment purchase, authorization to sell K‑9 Xylo to his former handler with the assistance of a $3,500 donation from Boone County Crime Stoppers, and expenditure of $4,940 for a recruitment video.
Chief Woody told the committee the $15,000 donor has supported the K‑9 program previously and that the department plans to buy a new K‑9 and training from the King County Sheriff's Office at $15,500, with $500 to come from the department’s K‑9 line item. "I would request the motion to accept the $15,000 donation … and approve the payment of 15,500 to the King County Sheriff's Office for the purchase of a police k 9 training and equipment," Woody said. Council approved the motion.
Woody also explained testing at the regional academy indicated Xylo would not meet the academy’s detection standards and that replacing the dog would be more cost‑effective than sending current staff and dog to extended out‑of‑state training. Boone County Crime Stoppers voted to provide $3,500 to return Xylo to his previous handler, Robert Kozlowski; the council accepted the donation and authorized the contract sale.
Finally, the committee approved a $4,940 invoice to First In Studios Inc. for a 1–2 minute recruitment film and three 15–45 second social media reels to support recruitment efforts. The chief said department leadership will have full editorial approval and a right of refusal over final content.
Why it matters: the actions keep K‑9 capability current while offering a pathway to rehome a dog that did not meet academy benchmarks; the recruitment video is a targeted investment to help address staffing shortages.
Next steps: staff will accept donations, complete the K‑9 purchase and sale paperwork, and proceed with production of the recruitment video under department oversight.
