JACKSON POLICE PUT DRUG DOG ON FORCE

JACKSON -- The Jackson Police Department hopes to take a bite out of crime with its first drug dog.

Mayor Paul Sander greeted the city's newest crime fighter, Stadt, a 2-year-old, male German shepherd at a ceremony in front of the police station Monday. Stadt is German for city.

Sander said individuals and service organizations raised over $25,000 so the city could buy and train the dog.

State Rep. David Schwab, R-Jackson, obtained a state surplus vehicle that will be used by Stadt and his handler, Patrolman Shawn Davis.

"We hope that this dog will be a major deterrent to drug use," Sander said.

Sander said he expects the dog will be taken into Jackson schools at various times.

The mayor said city officials first started looking at setting up a canine unit a year and a half ago.

Davis said the dog will make it easier for the police to find drugs. If Stadt detects drugs in a car, officers have probable cause to conduct an immediate search of the vehicle, he said.

The dog also can be used in building searches and to track people, he said.