Waupun K-9 unit returns to force
After a two-year absence, Waupun again has a K-9 unit.
“Officer Trevor Kreitzman and his dog Agon have been trained and certified in narcotic detection, tracking, and as a dual purpose patrol K-9 for use in bark and hold protection,” said police chief Dale Heeringa.
Heeringa said Agon is a 2-year-old male Belgian malinois that was imported from a European block country and was purchased and trained through Steinig Tal Kennels in the Campbellsport area and Fox Valley Technical College.
“A German shepherd is 100 pounds, and a Belgian malinois is 65 pounds,” said Kreitzman who has been with the Waupun Police Department for six years. “One reason we picked a Belgian malinois is because today’s cars tend to be smaller, meaning Agon as a smaller dog can maneuver easier in cars while looking for drugs.”
Waupun’s K-9 program came to a halt two years ago when the head of the K-9 unit, master dog trainer Lt. Jeanne Frost, was injured while training a dog. The injuries forced Frost to retire from the department.
Heeringa said re-establishing the K-9 unit had the overwhelming support of the local and surrounding community, and financing the project, which included special equipment, was mostly from donations from private citizens, businesses, civic groups and the Dodge County Drug Unit.
“None of the purchase, either equipment or training fees at the training kennel, was done with city funding or tax dollars,” he said. “With the dedication and commitment Officer Kreitzman has demonstrated in this project I’m confident that he and Agon will make an excellent addition to the Waupun Police Department,” said Heeringa.
“We were without the K-9 program for about two years. It was a loss, greatly missed, and I feel that we might have missed some drug activity in our community as a result. This new K-9 team will be an immense help in keeping our community safe,” Heeringa said.
No comments yet.
