Glasgow police introduce K‑9 Rico; chief cites drug‑seizure stats

Police Chief Guy Howie introduced Officer Alex Mutter and his new patrol and drug‑detection dog, Rico, at the Glasgow City Council meeting and described the K‑9 unit’s recent activity and funding.

"They have had 129 deployments with 73 indications, 59 seizures, and 37 arrests," Chief Howie said, adding that the department’s canines were purchased with seized drug money and that "the only taxpayer dollars that goes into them is their maintenance, their dog food, and their replenishment supplies of leashes and so forth." He said the department now fields three canines and credited the unit with an increase in drug arrests compared with the previous year.

The mayor led a lighthearted ceremonial oath for Rico during the presentation. Chief Howie described how handlers and trainers are matched, saying the department screens prospective handlers, performs home inspections and requires family buy‑in because the dogs go home with officers. He said training programs vary: some handlers completed roughly 16‑week courses while Officer Mutter’s handler program was shorter, which the chief described as a four‑week program for that pairing.

Howie also detailed deployment activity in schools and on the road: "They've done 205 locker searches in the schools," he said, and listed additional vehicle and open‑area searches that produced indications and seizures. He emphasized the unit’s role in supporting drug enforcement and school safety.

The council and audience applauded the K‑9 team, and the mayor said paperwork for Rico has been completed.

The presentation did not include a formal council action; it was an informational recognition and introduction to the department’s newest canine team.