3.1 Easy Steps to start a Police K9 Unit
If asked for the most valued attributes of a Police Service Dog, the words dedicated, loyal, and persistent would surely top the list. We here at HSZ like to bring you stories of perseverance and dedication that are highlighted by our animal partners.
Now and then, however, we find a story where the human gets to play the hero. This is one such story. It is about a Police Officer who recognized the tremendous benefits that PSDs provide, but his department (like many others in the United States) simply did not have the funding to support a canine (K9) program. In fact, Police Magazine reports that “according to the United States Police Canine Association, insufficient public funding is the number one reason canine programs fail.”
Patrolman Chris Laver was not going to let something as silly as approximately $25,000.00 (the average startup cost of a K9 program) stand in the way of obtaining a K9 unit for the Hackettstown, NJ Police! Chris set out with a plan.
Step 1: Get the Dog. How do you pick a dog that has the right qualities? Easy # 1: Start hanging out with people who can teach you. Chris began working with local K9 trainers, identified the conditions needed, and eventually purchased his pup.
The K9 prospect, a Dutch Malinois, was named Jada when she took up residence in the Laver home. Working with experienced K9 handlers, Chris began to train Jada on his own time, preparing her for future obedience challenges.
Step 2: The Tricky Part. Get the Chief of Police and City Council to adopt the program. So how does one go about getting a government body to approve 25K expenditure? Easy # 2: You fund it privately. Chris started a community campaign and was promised veterinary care services, food, and other donations, but it still wasn’t enough.
Step 3: Raise the Cash. How do you get people to give you money, legally? Easy # 3: Sell them Swag. Chris recognized that everyone who loves to support loves to show their support even more. Chris started selling his supporters T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts, complete with a patriotic K9 logo and the Hackettstown PD patch.
Chris’s financial support plan was not really an easy venture. Chris was managing the shirt sales from his living room, taking orders, fronting payment, and delivering orders himself. Still, he was making progress. Chris’s venture, however, was leading him into a relentless work schedule. His days off were consumed with hours of shirt business compounded by Jada’s training sessions.
Step 3.1: Find a Better Way. Sales are good, but how can you avoid the door to door delivery system? Easy # 3.1: Social Media Sales and Delivery. Chris began selling the items through social media sites. Jada started her own Facebook page, and Chris started using Booster.com to create, sell, and deliver his product. For the shirt link, check out Jada’s FB page where you will also find her training videos and her most recent press releases or just use the link here.
With funding in hand and a two-year-old obedience trained K9 on lead, the Hackettstown PD was ready to make the City Council an offer they couldn’t refuse. In July 2016, City Council approved the Police Departments K9 Unit. By September, the logistics were complete, and Jada became Chris’s new partner.
Jada subsequently graduated the Union County K9 Police Academy with a certificate in Narcotics detection and is currently is training to be certified as a Patrol Service Dog, add to her repertoire the skills of Searching and Tracking. In the meantime, Chris and Jada have quickly put their abilities to use, racking up six narcotics jobs in the last four weeks.
Disclaimer: Step 3.1 does not solve all the financing in one shot. Chris continues to sell t-shirts and hoodies to fund the units continued resource and training needs. So, to join the team and wear your very own “I Support Hackettstown Police K9” swag everywhere you go, again here is the most current link.
Special thanks to Officer Laver for the lesson in how to exemplify the most valued attributes of a Service Dog and to HPD Chief Macaulay for allowing HSZ to write this article. Story courtesy of Zookeeper GS. Below is a cool video of Jada in action:
