Orono Council holds badge and oath ceremony for new police K‑9 Onyx

Orono’s City Council and police department on Tuesday held a badge and oath ceremony for Onyx, the department’s newly certified K‑9 officer. Police Chief Corey Farniak said the department reestablished the canine program after an officer proposal in 2023 and developed a policy covering training, equipment and handler qualifications.

The program received a $20,000 contribution from the city of Spring Park to support the purchase and training of the dog, Farniak said. He noted that Onyx arrived in the United States in March 2025, completed an intensive 12‑week training program and is certified in narcotics detection, tracking and evidence recovery. “I’m incredibly proud of both Officer Sherman for his vision, initiative, and [for] creating this canine program and for his canine partner, Onyx,” Farniak said.

The ceremony followed the same format used for human officers: an oath of office and a badge presentation. Mayor Bob Thunheim administered the oath to Onyx and thanked officers for their service. The city emphasized that the canine will be trained and used as a dual‑purpose dog for narcotics detection, search and rescue, area searches and evidence recovery, and that the department’s policy aligns with regional best practices.

The council and staff said they expect the K‑9 program to support policing and mutual aid efforts with neighboring jurisdictions the department already serves. No formal vote was required for the ceremony itself; council members and staff used the occasion to recognize the new capability.

The council adjourned the ceremony and continued with regular business on the agenda.