It was in April of this year that four high school sophomores, Kayde Nissen, Merkl Kauch, Tyler Tuning and Tyler Comstock, came up with a fundraising idea to bring a K-9 officer back to the Carroll Police Department. The department has not had a K-9 unit since 2007, but that is all about to change next week, when Eudoris comes home to Carroll with his handler, Officer Justin Ferrin. Preparations for his arrival are wrapping up, including the re-enacting and updating of the previous Police Service Dog Team policy. Chief Burke explains what the policy entails.
The latter includes an increase of an additional hour per shift to compensate Ferrin for the added time for callbacks, care and maintenance of the animal and other situations requiring the police service dog team. Burke says that the callback situations will be handled on an individual basis.
City Councilman, Mike Kots, asked about the ability to add to the policy and handler’s contract that they will have to remain in the position for a specific number of years. Burke says he has discussed this with Officer Ferrin, who is currently away in training with Eudoris.
Burke says he will recommend that Ferrin commit to a three-year timeframe, and if he leaves, he will be responsible for the pro-rated portion of the training expenses. Burke says the dog belongs to the department and not the officer, so if the handler leaves, they would assign another one. The total bill for Eudoris, the training and the equipment was close to $15,000, with all the money coming from donations. The extra money that has been donated will be used for the care and maintenance of the K-9 unit.
