The Bluffton Police Department’s next officer might have four legs.

And, the police are asking for financial support from the community to make the hire.

The department is proposing to add a K-9 unit to the department. On Aug. 14 Bluffton council granted the police permission to seek volunteer contributions for the project.

Tyler Hochstetler, police sergeant, said that the cost for a K-9 is $17,000 and two businesses have already pledged $5,000, so the need is down to $12,000.

He said there are five objectives for adding a K-9 unit to the department and the most important is to keep drugs off the streets and out of the community.

“The growing opioid and drug problem in our area continues to filter into Bluffton despite our best attempts to stop it,” he told The Icon.

He added that a K-9 is able to assist officers by performing open-air sniffs of vehicles for narcotics, including marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine and all the derivatives.

In addition, a dual-purpose canine will assist officers in track and search for missing persons, track and apprehend criminals, perform drug, building and area searches, perform article searches and recovery and assist in officer protection.

The department will soon mail a letter and brochure explaining in detail how the program works and how residents, organizations and businesses can participate in the fund-drive.

Persons with specific questions can contact Hochstetler at 419-358-2961, extension 114, or a [email protected].

The attachments below explain the program in detail.