PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — The Pleasant Prairie Police Department officially welcomed its newest four-legged officer Monday when K-9 Rex was sworn into service during the August 24 Pleasant Prairie Village Board meeting.
Village Clerk Jane Snell administered the official oath to Rex during the ceremony, formally welcoming him to the department.
Rex, a Dutch Shepherd born in Poland, will work second shift with K-9 Handler Officer Joshua Girdaukas. Rex will turn two years old on September 21.
Before beginning service in Pleasant Prairie, Rex was imported to Canine Deployed in Lafayette, Indiana. Girdaukas and Rex spent approximately three weeks training together there, earning their certification and developing the working relationship necessary for K-9 operations.
Trained For Narcotics, Tracking And Apprehension
According to the Village, Rex is certified in several areas of police work, including narcotics detection, tracking suspects and missing people, locating articles, handler protection and apprehension.
The department said its K-9 program assists with a wide range of public-safety functions throughout Pleasant Prairie.
Girdaukas and Rex are already actively serving the community and will continue training alongside other area K-9 teams to sharpen their skills.
