Fridley Police K9s Had a Good Dog Year

Fridley's two police dogs had a very good 2011—no matter if you years or dog years.

At regional trials in Minneapolis last spring both Kona and Nitro qualified for United States Police Canine Association National K-9 trials, held in Detroit Lakes in July.

They were two of only three rookie dogs to qualify for the national trials, according to a statement from the Fridley Police Department, which said they "did extremely well." Both Kona and Nitro at the July trials.

Meanwhile, they performed their day-to-day duties for the department, racking up impressive numbers:

• So far in 2011 the K-9 units have been deployed a total of 232 times.
• The two K-9s have successfully tracked down 13 suspects this year. Of those 13 apprehensions only two have resulted in the K-9 having to bite the suspect.
• The K-9s have located a handgun used in a robbery and a handgun used in a burglary in other cities.

Credit is shared by the dogs and their partners, according to the department statement:

Having a successful K-9 unit takes a lot of hard work and dedication on the part of the handlers. Officers Matt Noren and Chris McClish train with their dogs daily and work very hard at staying proficient with their tasks.

Fridley's police-dog program started with money from outside the city. Initial funding for the K-9 program was provided by the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant from the federal government, according to police.