The Tumwater Police Department is in the process of getting a new canine to replace K9 James, who is nearing the end of his service in the department.
According to TPD Chief Jon Weiks, K9 James became injured a couple of months ago, with the department trying to get him healthy enough to go back to work.
“But he is coming to the end of his service,” commented Weiks
James has been with TPD K9 unit for five years now.
Weiks shared James’ health situation with the city’s Public Health and Safety Committee during the meeting on Tuesday, April 12. However, he did not elaborate on the injury or cause of it.
“He is doing well, but we are a ways from getting him back from service,” he added.
The TPD has started to recruit a new canine and a new handler. “It is about a year-long process for us to pick the person and pick the new dog, start the training and have him or her ready to go,” he said.
The TPD is still hopeful that James will get back in full-time service for the remainder of 2022 or for another year.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, police reform laws have reduced the number of activities for K9 units, Weiks noted.
In 2021, Weiks said K9 units had only 22 deployments – about half of what they had two years ago.
K9 and James had five narcotics deployments with five detections; 17 tracking deployments with nine successful tracks. “With that being said we still have one of the best K9 teams, not only in Thurston County but in the Washington State so far,” Weiks claimed.
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