Will County State's Attorney Donates K-9 To Monee PD

JOLIET, IL — Cap, a 19-month-old German Shepard, was sworn in as a member of the Monee Police Department on July 28. The K-9 police dog was a gift from Will County State's Attorney James W. Glasgow and will assist local law enforcement in the fight against illegal drugs, specifically opioids, authorities said.

According to Glasgow, the K-9, his training and transport equipment all were paid for with money seized from drug dealers and money launderers, which meant no taxpayer dollars were used for the project.

Glasgow previously has provided eight other K-9s to law enforcement agencies in Will County, including police departments in: Shorewood, Channahon, Rockdale, Wilmington, Crest Hill and Park Forest, according to a release.

"We must do everything we can to confront the deadly opioid epidemic that has gripped our communities, even more significantly during the Covid pandemic," Glasgow said. "These special K-9s do a remarkable job assisting local law enforcement efforts in taking dealers off our streets and removing dangerous drugs from our communities."

Glasgow said K-9s also help officers teach school children about the dangers of drugs and about kindness to animals, and they are used to monitor the presence of drugs in high schools.

Glasgow attended last week's swearing in ceremony, along with Monee Police Chief Scott Koerner and officer Steve Crescenti, who is Cap's handler. Village Clerk Doneshia Codjoe presided over the ceremony, while Mayor Therese Bogs and members of the village board also were in attendance.

Cap and Crescenti completed a rigorous five-week training course before Cap could begin his duties, Koerner said.

"Our police department and the village of Monee are excited to have Cap as a member of our law enforcement team," Koerner said. "We've already seen that Cap has quickly become a popular member of the Monee Police Department."

According to a release, Cap is a member of Glasgow's "K-9 for Cops" program, which is part of the League of Extraordinary Canines & Friends. The state's attorney established that program to bring together law enforcement, animal control, the Humane Society, local veterinarians and rescue groups to address animal cruelty and neglect.

Glasgow also works closely with the nonprofit organization K9 for Vets, which provides dogs to veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).