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July 2, 2009

Morris PD K-9 team riding in style

By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



The newest vehicle in the Morris Police Department fleet caters directly to a member of the police force.

The blue Ford F150 half-ton crew cab has plenty of bells and whistles for Franco, the department’s drug dog.

Franco, a Belgian Malinois, is the partner of Detective Mike Nazarchyk. Franco joined the department in May 2008.

“He’s better protected in the new vehicle,” said Nazarchyk.

Behind the truck’s driver seat is a steel cage where Franco rides. It is much safer for Franco than the former K-9 vehicle - a 1998 Ford Explorer.

There’s no chance of Franco getting too hot in the F150.

Thanks to a warning system in the truck, when the inside temperature approaches a dangerous level, the windows automatically roll down and a fan kicks on so the dog won’t overheat.

The warning system also emits an audible siren and stalls the engine, all for the safety of the dog.

The vehicle is safer for Nazarchyk, too. The Explorer did not have a safe way to safely transport suspects.

However, the crew cab of the F150 is split down the middle, with Franco on one side and room for a prisoner on the other. Nazarchyk can now transport prisoners without them having access to him or Franco.

With 213,000 miles on it, the Explorer was not only undependable, but it was also not outfitted for police work, according to Police Chief Brian Cochran.

“It wasn’t properly equipped for a K-9 unit,” said Cochran. “(The F150) was designed specifically for a K-9.”

Funds for the vehicle were provided through an ADECA/LETTS grant. The grant, which required a 10-percent match from the City of Morris, was for $25,000.

The total price of the vehicle was $30,158.

“The majority of our share was paid from a combination of drug seizure funds and unsolicited donations from members of the community who knew were were trying to purchase a K-9 vehicle,” said Cochran.

Nazarchyk said that Franco deserves to ride in style after serving faithfully for a year.

“He has assisted several officers in making arrests and he has assisted with seizures,” said Nazarchyk. “This is his reward - a comfortable ride.”

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