THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2008

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K-9 Coming To Rolling Meadows

Beginning this summer, another police officer will be patrolling the streets of Rolling Meadows. However, this new policeman doesn't stand on two legs and eats out of a bowl.

For the first time in the city's history, a new canine program will assist officers with finding drugs. The dog will be a "single source" dog, meaning it will only be used to sniff for drugs, not missing individuals or potential bombs.

City council approved the program last month.

According to Sgt. Tony Gaspari, patrolman Steve Whetstone will travel to Indiana in July and begin the six-week training program with the dog. The drug-sniffing dog is expected to join the force by the middle of August.

Officer Whetstone was selected to be in charge of the dog after numerous officers showed interest and a selection process was conducted.

Gaspari said the cost for the dog including training is $3,000. Yearly expenses to maintain the dog will cost two or three times that initial amount. He said funds used to pay for the dog are coming out of the Investigations Seizure Funds.

Whetstone will work with the dog on a daily basis and take it home with him at night.

Elk Grove Village, Palatine and Arlington Heights also have canine programs, however some of those dogs are used to sniff for more than drugs.