K-9 Unit to Join New Canaan Police Department

The Board of Selectmen approved a request by the New Canaan Police Department to establish a K-9 unit at Tuesday morning's Board of Selectmen meeting.

Captain Leon Krolikowski told the Board of Selectmen NCPD's K-9 program has already raised $76,000, enough to fund the program for the next five years.

According to Captain Krolikowski, funds were raised in part from hundreds of donations from residents eager to bring a K-9 unit to town. To further his argument, Capt. Krolikowski invited a special four-legged officer to the meeting.  

Aries, a German shepherd from the Norwalk Police Department, was introduced to the Selectmen as an important player in Norwalk's safety as well as a well-known facet of the community. Norwalk uses their police dogs for detecting explosives, narcotics and tracking missing people.

An NCPD K-9 would most likely be used for evidence recovery, officer protection, narcotics detection and tracking missing people such as lost children and Alzheimer's patients. Krolikowski asked the Board of Selectmen approve the request Tuesday morning in order to obtain a trained canine which is currently available. According to the canine's trainer, the dog is socialized, friendly and ready to join the NCPD.

The Board of Selectmen unanimously moved to approve the request, especially considering the K-9 unit would come at no cost to the town.