KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety announced Friday the addition of two new K9 officers and their four-legged partners, who begin training with the force on Monday, March 8th.
K9 Officer Max Houtman is paired with Sledge, a 1-year-old Dutch Shepherd, and K9 Officer Emily Weston is paired with Groot, a 1-year-old German Shepherd.
“The K9 officers within KDPS play a critical role in keeping the Kalamazoo community safe,” said Sgt. Kelly Pittelkow, who leads Kalamazoo Police K-9 Unit. “Sledge and Groot will assist KDPS in searching for narcotics, finding criminal offenders, missing and endangered persons and engaging with our community at schools and events.”
Houtman and Weston joined the K9 team in mid-February and their new partners were picked up recently from Shallow Creek Kennels, a police service dog facility in Pennsylvania.
“KDPS has the largest police K9 unit in Kalamazoo County and I’m confident Groot and Sledge will help us keep the City of Kalamazoo safe,” Chief Vernon Coakley said.
