Wilmer gets K9 as newest PD member

WILMER – The 17 full-time and three part-time sworn peace officers along with six civilian employees at the Wilmer PD will officially be adding a new addition soon.

At the city council meeting this week Wilmer Police Chief Victor Kemp will swear in the newest member of the patrol team.

His name is Mac, a two-year-old Dutch Shepherd born March 1, 2017.

“Mac was purchased by Wilmer PD from Hill Country Dog Center in Pipe Creek Texas in April of this year where he has undergone months of extensive training as a dual-purpose patrol dog” Kemp said.

“He is not only a drug detection dog, but also trained to track and detect criminal suspects or individuals who may be missing or lost.”

Mac is also trained in the apprehension of suspects who may be fleeing or resisting arrest. He has already assisted the U.S. Marshall’s Office in the apprehension of a capital murder suspect.

Spending time with Mac will be his partner and handler Officer Ryan Sawyer. Sawyer has served at the Wilmer PD for more than 11 years, and has a passion for dogs.

“Officer Sawyer also has a passion for making our communities safe from dangerous drugs and narcotics,” Kemp said. “He has trained and received over 100 hours specifically related to topics such as Dangerous Drugs and Narcotics Investigation, Highway Drug Interdiction and Commercial Motor Vehicle Interdiction.”

The Wilmer PD operated a drug detection K9 unit for several years around 2005. At that time K9 Narco, worked with handler Officer Andy Cootes until Officer Cootes went to work with a bomb detection dog in Afghanistan.

Officer Sawyer and Mac are patrolling in a new specially equipped 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe that is equipped with numerous safety features for Mac’s protection. This includes release functions so Mac can be released from the vehicle remotely if an officer were to need immediate assistance apprehending a violent or resisting suspect.

The department has also acquired computer software to track all the K9 program training and activity.

Along with the new K9 Program, Chief Kemp recently implemented a high visibility neighborhood patrol program. Part time officers patrol specific neighborhoods utilizing the patrol cars cruise lights where the red and blue lights glow constantly. These officers do not answer calls for service, and their primary responsibility is not issuing citations. They saturate and patrol one neighborhood at a time and make every effort to stop and speak with citizens about any concerns they may have or to answer questions.

Kemp says “Citizens are encouraged to wave these officers down or request through dispatch to speak to one with any concerns or information.”