WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Many police K9 units are shrinking nationwide, but not on Wilmington's force.
Wilmington police have told The News Journal of Wilmingtonthat they are committed to a 12-dog crime-fighting unit at a budgeted cost to the city of just over $50,000 this year.
Police said Monday that they recently spent $6,500 to buy an 18-month-old German Shepherd to replace a dog that has been retired. Training will continue for the next several months.
Master Sgt. William McGillan, the unit supervisor, says the canine unit is used virtually on a daily basis for building searches, drug investigations and for tracking and capturing suspects.
He said the crime-fighting canines have helped Wilmington police seize thousands of dollars in illegal drugs, including marijuana, cocaine and heroin in recent months.