The City Council on Tuesday approved an appropriation request for $25,000 for a third Police K9 officer. These funds will be used to purchase all related equipment and schooling needed for the third K9 Unit.

Officer Sean Livingstone and his K9 partner, Finn, began a 10-week training program on October 9th. Finn is an 18-month-old German Shepard from Hungary. The Chicopee Police Department will release more information once they have completed some of their training.

“The expanded use of K9 units in the City of Chicopee has been an effective way to enhance public safety in our city,” said Mayor Richard Kos.

“I would like to thank the Mayor and Council for their continued support of the police department,” said Police Chief William Jebb. “For the first time in the police department’s history, three K9 Officers will be on our force. One K9 will be assigned to each shift and the benefits are immediate, from being a deterrent at a large disturbance, to searching for lost or missing people, and tracking and capture of criminals.”

The Chicopee Police Department’s two current K9 units, Pako and Kane, are both certified in patrol while Kane is also certified in drug recognition.

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