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Crown Point introduces new police K-9 Dutch and several public-safety hires
Summary
Corporal John Fitzgerald introduced Dutch, a newly certified police K-9 trained in narcotics detection and tracking; mayor also introduced newly hired police officer Zach Bus and firefighter Teagan, and the session highlighted fundraising and equipment donations that paid for the K-9 program.
Corporal John Fitzgerald introduced Dutch, the Crown Point Police Department’s new K-9, and described the dog’s training, capabilities and care during a Mayor’s office session at Yuki Country Club.
“This is my new partner here, Dutch,” Fitzgerald said, adding that Dutch arrived from Germany and completed three weeks of intensive training together before becoming road-certified. Fitzgerald described Dutch’s duties as narcotics detection, open-area searches, tracking and apprehension and estimated that police dogs typically serve 10–12 years. He also said the department has four K-9s in rotation so each shift has a dog available.
Fitzgerald provided an approximate price range for service dogs and equipment: “The dogs themselves range between $15,000 and $18,000,” he said, adding that that figure excludes harnesses, leashes and other outfitting. He credited local fundraising and donations—specifically the Bears and Badges event and a group identified as Protecting Heroes—for paying for Dutch’s equipment and a trauma bag, and said a donated vest is being fitted for the dog.
Mayor Pete also introduced two recent hires: Officer Zach Bus (badge 136), who joined the department in January after prior service as a general-service officer, and Teagan, a 19-year-old recent Crown Point High School graduate who was introduced as a new firefighter and described gaining experience through ride‑alongs and EMT school.
What happens next: the police department will continue public outreach about the K-9 program and the mayor encouraged residents to support fundraising efforts that assist equipment purchases. The mayor also thanked the community event that helped fund the dog’s acquisition.
Speakers quoted: Corporal John Fitzgerald (Corporal, Crown Point Police Department); Mayor Pete (Mayor); Zach Bus (Police officer); Teagan (Fire department hire).
