Mayfield Heights Police adds new K-9 for first time since 2014
May 5—As a longtime K-9 handler, Mayfield Heights Police Chief Anthony Mele recognizes the impact working police dogs can have on a department.
It is a major reason why Mele is so pleased that the department is adding a K-9 unit for the first time since 2014.
The new K-9 is a 1-year-old Belgian Malinois named Maverick. He comes from the Czech Republic and was trained at Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania.
The K-9 handler will be Patrolman Mike King.
Maverick will be officially sworn in at the Mayfield Heights City Council meeting on May 8.
"Mayfield Heights PD has had a few police work dogs dating back to the 1970s. I was a K-9 handler for eight years with the department, so I know first-hand what a valuable tool they are," Mele said. "K-9 Maverick is currently our only police K-9. I'm hoping to build the program out in the upcoming years. It's been nine years since our department had a working dog. We retired two dogs back in 2014 and neither was replaced at that time."
Mele said because their sense of smell far exceeds what a human can detect, K-9s can be invaluable to police work and mainly the dog is a locating tool for finding drugs and tracking down fleeing suspects.
King, who trained for six weeks with Maverick completed basic handler school on April 28 at Shallow Creek Kennels, echoed Mele's comments on the importance of a K-9 unit.
"I have watched Maverick, in training, locate decoys/possible suspects and narcotics in locations I wouldn't typically think of looking," King said. "He will be a valuable asset to the department for years to come."
King and Maverick are certified through the state of Ohio as well as the North American Police Work Dog Association. In addition, they will have continued training, yearly recertification, and monthly maintenance training for the remainder of Maverick's career.
Mele said the training for King was demanding and intense and is an ongoing process but a necessary tool.
"These dogs are highly trained and very intelligent," Mele said. "They come from blood lines that have the desired drives that we look for in a working dog. Like any tool on our duty belt, the officer must have complete control of the K-9, which requires a great deal of training. It all starts with obedience training."
While the addition of Maverick will help the department in several important areas of police work, he will be almost as valuable in the community, according to both Mele and King.
"Public relations is a huge part of a successful K-9 program in Mayfield Heights," Mele said. "The police K-9 is a goodwill ambassador to the police department. In the past, our dogs regularly participated in K-9 demonstrations and went into the classrooms to meet students. It's a great way for our officers to build relationships with kids.
"Now more than ever, it's extremely important that police officers make every effort to connect with the citizens in their community," he added. "A police K-9 is a great way to make that happen."
King said public appearances are a big part of the K-9 program, and the community will react well to interacting with Maverick.
"I feel that Maverick will help connect members of our department with the community," King said. "Maverick will make many public appearances throughout his career for demonstrations, with two large appearances being our annual Unity Days and our First Responders Night out. We are looking forward to showing Maverick to our residents and allowing them to interact with him."
King hopes he and Maverick are just the start of things to come.
"Maverick and I are very fortunate to have the support of our department, our community and for my family to allow me the opportunity to serve in this capacity," King said. "I am grateful for being chosen to bring the K-9 program back to our department and hope to help it grow in the future."
