Township Board Approves K9 Units for Police Department

Haverford Township's board of commissioners passed a motion 5-4 to add a K9 unit to the police department.

Members of the police committee introduced the idea back in August

Steve D'Emilio said then that he thinks the dogs would help deter crime.

“There has been an increase in home invasions and burglaries in Ward 1,” he said. “We believe a K9 unit on location at some of these early break-ins may have lead to faster apprehensions.”

Township manager Larry Gentile said the K9 unit will complete the police department.

"The [police department] believes adding canines to law enforcement is an addition tool to combat any crime or deter crime," he said. "That is the only service Haverford police doesn't currently provide."

The motion approved the purchase and training of two dogs and equipment totaling $32,000, according to the meeting's agenda.