Newton Police Department will acquire new K9 unit to be street ready by May 2023

Newton Police Department is getting a new dog.

Following the retirement of K9 Smokey almost six months ago, the local police department has been without a four-legged counterpart. City council members on Dec. 5 approved the purchase and training of a new K9 unit in a 6-0 vote. Tree Town Kennels, LLC, of Forest City, was selected as vendor and trainer.

The cost of the dog and the training is $13,500, which will be paid using the police department’s drug forfeiture funds. Tree Town Kennels — also operating as Tree Town Consultants, LLC — wants a 50 percent down payment in January 2023. The remainder would be due upon full training and delivery of the dog.

By March 2023, the dog will meet its new handler, officer Jose Garcia, Jr. The duo are expected to be street ready prior to May 1, 2023.

Lt. Wayne Winchell told council members the police department narrowed its selection down to three breeds of dogs. Winchell said Garcia is really excited to start the program and is waiting for the ball to start rolling. Council member Mark Hallam commented that it is a good program.

Newton has had an active K9 unit since the early 1990s. The police department wants to continue the program. The dogs are mainly used for narcotics detection, building searches and for tracking missing persons or fugitives. In addition to their police work, a K9 unit also helps build bonds with the community.

Smokey, the previous K9 unit, took part in more than 30 public presentations. The Border Collie and his handler, officer Zach Walker, assisted in more than 150 deployments in the dog’s six-year service, and they seized illegal narcotics and guns with a street value of over $10,000.