K-9 Unit Officer Hesler and Coron in Training

The Miami Township Police Department will be swearing in their newest law enforcement member on November 22, 2011 at 10:00 AM, during the Trustee’s Meeting, at the Miami Township Administration Building.  Coron, will be the third police canine in the department’s history, but the first in nearly twenty years.  Coron is a one and one/half year old Belgian Malinois and has been trained as a dual purpose police canine.

After much research and consideration, Chief Chris Krug determined that a properly trained and deployed canine would have a direct and successful impact on reducing and solving crime, drug detection, and locating missing persons.  Chief Krug stated “a dog’s olfactory capability to locate hidden contraband, find dangerous hidden suspects, and search for evidence can save officer’s time and exposure to potentially life threatening situations.”

Getting a canine unit started required a thorough understanding of the issues involved and the many options available to the Miami Township Police Department.  Before getting the dog, the Miami Township  Police Department followed “best practices” involved in creating a canine unit.  Following the research, funding and budget process, it was determined that an imported and professionally raised and trained dog from European breeding stock would best serve the police department and Township residents.

Chief Krug presented the Canine Program concept to the Board of Trustees who gave their full support and approved Chief Krug moving forward with the selection of a canine handler.  After a thorough selection process, Officer Doug Hesler was selected as the canine handler.  Officer Hesler brought significant canine handling experience with him when hired by the police department in 2007.  He was a canine handler previously in Perry Township and in New Lebanon, having handled three different police dogs.

Officer Hesler and Coron have spent the past couple of months building a trusting and sound working relationship with each other during a rigorous training program in Columbus, Ohio.  Both handler and canine will participate in monthly training to keep all of their skills honed.  It’s the handler’s job to advocate for his canine and be the ultimate arbiter of whether the canine should be used in any given situation.