New K-9 Unit Will Be 'Force Multiplier' for Mboro Police

Marlborough is on its way to getting its first police dog after Police Chief Mark Leonard and City Councilors spoke to the many benefits of the addition to the department.

“It will benefit [Marlborough] city wide," said Leonard at a Finance Committee meeting last week where the budget for the police department was endorsed with funds for a canine unit intact.

A multi-use police dog would be a great asset to the department, said Leonard as he explained the city would be best served by a tracking and drug sniffing dog. While the city now has access to dogs in other communities, something it can take upwards of 40 minutes to arrive. In situations such as a missing person, every minute counts, he said.

“Just like anything else when you have that tool it is going to be used,” said Leonard who explained the department would have made use of a dog many more times than the few dozen in the last year had one been available in Marlborough.

Having a dog on the scene is a "force multiplier" said Councilor Robert Seymore who had spoken with police personnel about the issue. Having a dog at the scene can change the whole dynamic of a situation and ultimately make it safer for police.

“I am pleased to see this addition," said Councilor Joseph Delano. “In my mind it is officer safety."

In addition to the benefits to the department, the canine unit would ultimately nearly fund itself, said Leonard. The program was priced at $15,000 but one grant the city is pursing would be even more than that.

“I truly believe once we get this program going it can almost be a self-funding program," said Leonard. “The people who supply this grant money want to see a committment from the city."