Brunswick police will hire new K-9 officer

BRUNSWICK, Ohio - On Monday night, Brunswick City Council approved $12,000 for a new K-9 officer to join the police force. The department's current, K-9 officer, Blackjack, will be retiring this year.

"He's getting old and has some health issues," said Brunswick Police Chief Carl DeForest.

Blackjack and his partner officer Mark Luciano made 150 drug related arrests in 2012.

The department selected Shallow Creek Kennel in Pennsylvania, a facility known for its police K-9 training. Luciano will travel to Pennsylvania to select the dog.

"The handler will look at the dogs to see which one he bonds with," DeForest explained.

The new dog will be a drug dog as well as a patrol dog who will also track people. The pup's training is expected to start in early April.

The money will cover the costs associated with the purchase of the new dog, as well as training of the K-9 and the dog's handler. The department budgeted roughly $12,000 for the expense.

Blackjack, 9, will retire once the new dog arrives, completes training and state requirements. Blackjack was the city's first K-9 cop and Luciano plans to keep him as his pet.