After months of training, The Nebraska State Patrol has two new additions to their law enforcement detail.
Spokesperson Cody Thomas says Koda is a two-year-old Belgian Malinois and is stationed in Norfolk. Amos is a 15 month old Dutch Shepherd and is stationed in Sidney. "We call them dual purpose police service dogs as they can do both the controlled substance detection, like smelling controlled substances during a traffic stop. They can also help in searches. They are able to help in situations like we've seen recently where we got a missing person or a suspect in a corn field or somewhere where it is very difficult for humans to find them. These police service dogs are very crucial in those situations." Thomas says.
Koda has already been hard at work. He helped detect 141 pounds of marijuana in a vehicle during training in Grand Island last week. The traffic stop was nearby in Hamilton County and a K9 was needed and Thomas says Koda got the job done.
Donations to the Nebraska State Patrol Foundation is how the police service dogs are purchased. Each cost about $10,000 and a number of large and small donors make this program possible.
With the addition of Koda and Amos the patrol now has nine dogs spread around the state with another expected to join the team in the coming months.