PIMA — Pima Police Department’s newest recruit is joining thanks in part to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.
The Nation granted $4,000 to offset the remaining costs for Pima PD’s new K9 officer, Malice. The funds are made available through the Nation’s gaming compact with the state, which allows the Nation to divert up to 12 percent of its state gaming fees to local governments and nonprofit organizations for programs that benefit the general public.
The dog cost Pima Police $16,000, with $12,000 coming from the state Smart and Safe program, which is funded by taxes on marijuana sales.
Malice will be a search dog, and is currently in training to detect narcotics as well as missing humans.
“If a kid goes missing in the Valley, it’s all hands on deck. Most of the law enforcement from around the Valley band together to go looking, which leaves everything kind of barebones for the rest of the Valley,” Town Manager Vernon Batty said. “Having a dog like this requires much less manpower. So not only is it a more effective way to search and bring searches to a conclusion much faster, it’s much safer for the rest of the Valley.”
Malice’s training is expected to be complete by April, when she will join her partner, Pima officer Tyler Mortensen.
