Jul 31, 2013 3 min read

Not since the late 1990s has a Washington police officer had a four-legged partner riding along on patrol.

But that should soon be changing. City police are looking to add at least two K-9s to the force.

“In a perfect world, I would like four dogs, one for each turn,” said city police Chief Chris Luppino. “But we will start out with two.”

When the original K-9s retired, the city talked about replacing them.

“But it never happened,” Luppino said.

Having the K-9s would be a great tool for department, Luppino said.

“The number one problem in the city is drugs,” Luppino said. “The dogs would be trained for both drug detection and patrol. They also would be a good public relations tool.”

More drug arrests could also bring revenue to the city if there are forfeitures, he added.

Luppino said the process is still in the early phases. Officer Peter Jaskiewicz and Cpl. Joshua Rush have gone to look at dogs at a trainer in Ohio.

Jaskiewicz owns a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois named Cim that has been trained in drug detection that he uses while working for the Washington County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force.

The dog would cost about $7,500 to $8,000, Jaskiewicz said. He and Rush found two dogs, a Belgian Malinois and a German shepherd, that are candidates. The dogs would be certified through an organization like the North American Police Work Dog Association, or, if the city’s dogs are purchased in Ohio, would be certified by the Ohio Department of Justice.

The dogs would be trained to detect marijuana, powder and crack cocaine, heroin, Ecstasy and methamphetamine.

“The dogs also would benefit officer safety,” Jaskiewicz said. “Some burglaries we have, we find open doors. Many of the burglaries are at night. Instead of an officer going in, the dog could go into the building. He searches by scent.”

“If we’ve arrived shortly after the burglary has happened, the dog can also be used to track and apprehend a suspect,” he added.

Jaskiewicz said laws in Pennsylvania are more restrictive than some neighboring states in using the K-9 during traffic stops. He said there has to be an indicator, like the occupants being evasive, before a dog can be used.

One of the city’s older patrol cars would likely be equipped for the dogs. A special cage would be needed and a thermal system would have to be installed to alert the handler if the vehicle was getting too hot.

Luppino said that the officers have not been selected for the K-9 assignment but several have expressed interest.

The department is looking for contributions from businesses and residents to help finance the purchase of the animals. Jaskiewicz said Neal Funeral Home has already made a donation to the effort. Donations can be sent to the City of Washington K-9 Fund, 56 W. Strawberry Ave., Washington, PA 15301.