Funds coming in for Winfield PD K-9 program

The Winfield Police Department’s efforts to raise money for a K-9 program are continuing, according to Police Chief Danny Parker.

The department has raised around $9,000 — about half of the $20,000 needed to get the program started, Parker said.

Initially, Parker projected a startup cost of $15,000, but the need for a new vehicle has caused the increase in the startup amount.

“We’ve done an application for a grant (with the National Rifle Association) to help pay for the dog or training or both,” Parker said. “We will not know until the first of the year if we’ll get the grant money.”

Parker and department officers plan to meet with local business leaders to get their support for the program.

The program recently received a $1,000 donation from USD 465, Parker said. A $5,000 donation was also received recently.

Since announcing the program in September, Parker has named Master Patrolman Eric Jarvis the dog handler for the new unit.

Jarvis has been a full-time officer with the department for almost seven years and served as a reserve prior to that. He has previously served as the department’s rangemaster and school resource officer.

Parker acknowledged feedback received from the public questioning the necessity of three K-9 programs, as both the Cowley County Sheriff’s Department and Arkansas City Police Department are working on starting up K-9 programs as well.

“If all three entities have an animal, they’ll all be busy,” Parker said. “These dogs will not be wasted.”

The departments will also serve as mutual aid for one another if a dog isn’t available or if there is a search spanning a large area, helping to avoid fatigue problems with the animals.

“If we were to search the entire high school, for example,” Parker said, “one animal can’t do that.

“We had a bomb threat at Cloud County Community College and it took four (Kansas Highway Patrol) dogs. Even with four, they had to take a break to rest.”

Parker said that dogs, like humans, can show signs of fatigue when overworked.

“These dogs can’t go forever,” Parker said. “They get tired and lose their focus.”

For more information on the K-9 program or to make a donation, contact either Jarvis or Michelle Sisson at 221-5555, or in person at 812 Millington.

Parker asked that you specify that your donation is for the K-9 program when mailing or otherwise delivering a check to the police department.

BY Tyler Gaskill

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