A new furry face soon will be keeping the community safer.
Radko the German Shepherd is in training to become the first K-9 unit with the Berlin Police Department. On July 15, he will be ready to join officers on patrol.
Radko will be responsible for sniffing out the scent of marijuana or drugs, as well as assisting in patrols and searches for missing people.
Officer Steven Palma is training with the dog at a K-9 academy that recently opened in Gloucester Township. Normally, training a dog for a K-9 unit would take 42 weeks, but training will be completed in 15 weeks at this academy.
Palma was selected to train the dog based on a presentation he put together detailing his ideas for programs and why he should raise it.
Radko lives with Palma and his family.
Before moving to Gloucester Township, Radko lived in the Czech Republic, where he was already being trained. He is 1 year old.
Bringing Radko onto the force was a fast process. Chief Michael Miller said the department has been trying to install a K-9 unit for at least 10 years, and finally received an opportunity when Gloucester Township said it would be starting the K-9 Academy.
“We were able to take the [idea of getting a dog] from concept to reality in about a week,” Miller said.
Because it was an unexpected development, there was no money in the budget allotted for the dog. The department posted a fundraiser on GoFundMe to help cover costs for the dog, training, feeding and veterinary bills, as well as equipment such as a police vehicle insert so he can ride in cars, a kennel, vests and collars.
As of April 13, Miller said the department had raised around $11,000 of its $20,000 goal through the GoFundMe page and direct donations.
The GoFundMe page is linked on the department’s Facebook page.
The best part: Miller said residents would be able to pet Radko if they run into him around town.
“There are passive dogs where if they smell or see something, they just sit,” Miller said. The K-9 academy teaches dogs to be passive. “He’ll be able to be touched and be around people.”
Palma and Radko will be working alternating 12-hour shifts so other officers will be able to utilize the dog’s skills.
“Having a K-9 unit is something we’ve been aspiring to for a long time,” Miller said. “It’s an honor to have the first canine in Berlin Borough, and he will be important for public safety.”
