Police department aims to start K-9 program

MILLSBORO, Del. – The Millsboro Police Department is in the process of starting a single-use K-9 program for one of their officers.

The K-9 would be deployed in drug investigations and would not be a biting dog.

Millsboro Police Chief Brian Calloway estimates the cost would be around $20,000 to $25,000 and right now, the department is looking at grant funding to pay for the K-9 program.

Training for the dog would be covered by Delaware State Police.

In addition to being used for drug investigations, Chief Calloway wants to use the dog for community outreach.

“What we would like to see this dog is for it to also be a part of our community and go into schools and where kids can actually go up and physically touch the dog, where a lot of those other dual purpose dogs just can’t do that,” said Calloway.

Chief Calloway also said he hopes the K-9 program will help with retention of staff.