FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Franklin Police Department has a new crime fighter.
Koby, a 1-year-old Chocolate Labrador Retriever, is the first narcotics detection K-9 to join the police department since 2017, according to a media release. Koby is trained to detect and alert to the odor of marijuana, cocaine, meth and heroin. He can search buildings, vehicles, parcels and more, the media release said.
“From time to time, our officers encounter individuals who appear to be involved in drug sales or may be impaired in some way and are transporting illegal narcotics,” Franklin Police Chief Deb Faulkner said. “We believe having this resource will be a tremendous asset to our law enforcement mission.”
Koby will be paired with Officer Connor Jones, who has worked for the Franklin Police Department for nearly seven years.
“With Koby on the force, we will no longer have to wait for another agency with a K-9 unit to assist us,” Jones said. “We are incredibly grateful and excited to have him onboard.”
Jones and Koby recently completed their training at Canine Command LLC in Gallatin, where Koby was acquired by W. Dean Hunter. The pair is certified through the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA).
Koby’s first day on the job will be Tuesday, April 2.
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