Grace Kirchner, Leader Correspondent
Photo by Grace Kirchner Chero joined the Clintonville Police Department in 2014. Sgt. Chris Wendorf is his handler. Wendorf said Chero helps with about seven cases each month.
Patrol Sgt. Chris Wendorf, who heads the Clintonville Police Department’s K-9 program, is looking for community support to keep the program going.
The program was started in 2010 through contributions, grants and fundraisers. It continues to operate without tax dollars.
In 2014, the department purchased Chero. He is originally from Czechoslovakia.
Chero has been fully trained and certified for narcotics detection, handler protection, tracking, search, suspect apprehension and patrol. The dog is able to detect all forms of controlled substances and finished above and beyond normal expectations in his training, Wendorf said.
According to Wendorf, an average of 18,000 vehicles pass through Clintonville each day, and one in every 17 vehicles contains a criminal element.
Maintaining an effective and highly visible K-9 unit in the community helps deter crime and detect criminal activities, Wendorf said.
All donations to the K-9 fund are used only for that program and are tax deductible.
Donations can be made to Clintonville Police K-9 Fund, 35 S. Clinton Ave., Clintonville, WI 54929. For information, call the Police Department at 715-823-3117.