The Ark City Police Department has a announced a new addition to the force, and it comes with a wagging tail.
But Sal is not a drug dog, according to the ACPD.
“K-9 Sal is a police dog of a different breed,” the department said in its Facebook post. “His assignment does not include sniffing for drugs or running a track on a fugitive. Sal’s primary assignment is to support the men and women of the Arkansas City Police Department and area first responders.”
Sal was acquired by the department last year after Crisis Intervention Officer Cori Tuxhorn and Lieutenant Jason Legleiter approached ACPD Chief Eric Burr about an opportunity to enhance employee wellness in the department. Four County Mental Health Community Co-Responder Jamie Lovell, who works alongside Officer Tuxhorn, approached the two officers with a proposition to bring an English Bulldog puppy into the PD family.
“It has been an objective over the last year to enhance employee wellness,” Burr said. “Our officers respond to critical incidents weekly. Continued exposure to critical incidents can have an adverse effect on an officer’s mental and physical well-being. Only a few Kansas police agencies are currently using emotional support animals.
“However, the move to bring Sal on board has been positive.”
At eight months old, Sal is just reaching the age where he will be sent to specialized training. That training will take place next month.
“The plans for K-9 Sal are bright,” Burr said. “Not only will he be instrumental in critical incident debriefing, which occurs after major traumatic incidents, but he will also regularly be a fixture in the department to boost morale.”
Plans are in the works for Sal to be a community resource. His badge number is 988.
“He will be a constant reminder that help is only three numbers away when people find themselves or others in a mental health crisis,” Burr said. “Sal will frequent our schools to help educate students about mental health.”
Sal will assist with the department’s new suicide prevention program Hope Squad, currently operating at the Ark City Middle School, Ark City High School, and Cowley College.
Sal also will help the department with outreach events such as Popsicle Patrol (with a possible rebranding of Pupsicle Patrol) DARE Camp, National Night Out, and Pop in Park, along with other community events such as Tacolalah, Last Run, and Arkalalah. It is a vision for the future that K-9 Sal can make appearances at sporting events.
“After all, he is a bulldog, like most of us,” Burr said.
A fundraiser is being planned in the way of a middle school dance on Feb. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Agri-Business Building. The funds raised will help offset care and maintenance costs for Sal.
“Sal has already significantly impacted the overall atmosphere of the department, and we can definitely tell when he is not in the building,” Burr said. “Watch our social media channels for more updates on the great activities K-9 Sal will be doing in the future.”
