City of Newton, KS
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The Newton Police Department K-9 Unit consists of two Police Service Dog (PSD) teams. The K-9s are trained in narcotics detection, tracking, apprehension and handler protection. The Newton Police Department has a history of award-winning K-9 teams.
Officer Austin Sontag and Kilo
Kilo is a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois imported from The Netherlands. The team received their initial training and certification from Hill Country Dog Center in Pipe Creek, Texas. Kilo is a dual-purpose K-9 trained in narcotics detection, tracking, evidence recovery and patrol functions (building searches, area searches, and suspect apprehension). Kilo was placed in service in April 2022.
Lt. Jason Thompson and Ziva
Retired Newton Police K-9s
Bella
In 2015, Bella was picked up in Alabama and brought to Newton for the start of her training and career. Bella is a Belgian Malinois. Bella attended a 400-hour basic training course taught by Sedgwick County Deputy/Instructor Lucas Powell and Wichita Police Officer/Instructor Dan Gumm. Bella was certified in patrol work, as well as finding drugs. She was placed in service in December 2015 and retired in January 2023.
Aron
Aron served with the Newton Police Department for 11 years and was retired in 2011. In 2009, Sergeant Thompson and Aron took first place during the annual certification with the Heart of America Police Dog Association or the Tough Dog Trophy Run and the Patrol Dog Trophy Run. Sergeant Thompson and Aron took runner-up for Patrol Dog Team of the Year during the certification.
Carla
Carla served with the Newton Police Department for 11 years, 9 months and was retired in 2015. She turned 13 years old the same year. During her years of service Carla was utilized to search more than 2,500 vehicles, assisted the FBI in searching a jet and processing several FBI search warrants, seized more than $52,000 in illegal marijuana and $79,000 in methamphetamine, searched more than 60 schools from Goodland to Manhattan, Kansas and was utilized for more than 132 demonstrations within the community and surrounding counties. During her career she placed 6 times during the annual Heart of America Police Dog Association certification for Patrol Dog and 2 times for Detector Dog with 1st place finishes for both in 2013.
Kozmo (transferred)
Kozmo started working with the Newton Police Department in the spring of 2011. Sergeant Thompson and Kozmo were trained at the Nebraska State Patrol Training Academy Police Service Dog Unit. While training with Kozmo, Sergeant Thompson became a certified PSD Instructor for Police Service Dogs. Kozmo was subsequently transferred to the Kansas Department of Corrections during 2015, after some training problems arose that could not be overcome. During his short time with the Newton Police Department, Kozmo and Handler Sgt. Jason Thompson were named Detector Dog Team of the Year by the Heart of America Police Dog Association.