KPD looking forward to new K9 officer

KEYSER, W.Va. (WV News) — Keyser City Police will soon be getting a K-9 officer, Tyson, and everyone is looking forward to him making his appearance.

“Tyson is going to be a great asset to not only the department, but also for the community,” says Keyser Police chief Jared Bruce.

The Keyser Police Department does not currently have a K-9 officer and has not had one for a few years.

“We utilize K-9 officers from the Mineral County Sheriff’s Department or WVU Potomac State College Campus Police,” says Bruce. “It will be more efficient having our own available when needed, and it will help aid officers in continuing efforts to remove drugs from our streets.”

K-9 officer Tyson is coming from Shallow Creek Kennels in Pennsylvania and is currently an 18-month-old German shepherd. The cost for Officer Tyson is about $16,000, and the Keyser Police Department used grant money and donations from area businesses, churches, and organizations to purchase him.

“We were able to secure an AKC grant towards the purchase of K-9 Tyson and then used contributions from area business and churches that were donated, and we are very grateful to those that donated,” Bruce said. “We were able to pay in full the purchase price with those funds.

“We are all excited about having another well-trained K-9 in our area and everyone had been very helpful preparing for his arrival.”

“Sgt. Mark Leatherman with the Mineral County Sheriff’s Department volunteered to pour the concrete for the pad and help install the enclosure for K-9 Tyson,” Bruce said. “In fact, all K-9 officers in the area have offered assistance and advice to help us prepare for his arrival and to continue to aid us in any way needed.

“t is a great opportunity to have their support,” he said.

K-9 Tyson will be partnered with Officer Deavonte Johnson, and will reside within Keyser City limits with him.

“Officer Johnson will be going in December to train in Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania, to Shallow Creek Kennels to train with Tyson.

“Tyson will be already trained, but Officer Johnson will be brought up to speed,” laughs Bruce. “Officer Johnson will receive training on working with his new partner and learning K-9 Tyson’s methods and handling.”

K-9 Tyson is trained as a drug detection, handler protection, control, tracking K-9.

“He will play a big role in getting incoming drugs off our streets, which is a priority for every officer in our area,” says Chief Bruce. “The flow of drugs like fentanyl has been a major concern of local law enforcement and we take it very seriously.

“Having K-9 Tyson means we have another weapon in our arsenal to do just that. “Protecting our community is our top priority and K-9 Tyson is well trained to do just that and we can’t wait for him to join us,” Bruce said.