Grove City Police Officer Brian Kitko is pictured with his new partner, Max, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois.
By Andrea Cordle
Southwest Editor
Max has been on the job for just a few weeks. After an intense training period, he is ready to patrol the streets of Grove City.
Max is not your typical police officer. He’s faster than most of his colleagues and has one major advantage over his peers – his nose.
Max is a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois. He is the city’s first canine officer since the 1960s.
“Max is slowly working his way into a routine in the police division,” said William Vedra, safety director for the city of Grove City. “He is a narcotics and tracking dog.”
According to Vedra, the city spent $15,000 to acquire the police dog. He said the annual cost of Max should not exceed $10,000 a year.
Max will work with his handler, police officer Brian Kitko. The pair have been certified as a law enforcement canine unit through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission.
Grove City Interim Police Chief Jeff Pearson said Max will play a big role in cracking down on the city’s growing heroin problem.
“He is a dual purpose dog,” said Pearson. “He can track people, locate evidence and he acts as a crime deterrent. If people know the city has a canine officer, they are less likely to bring drugs into town.”
According to the chief, in his first week on the job, Max found marijuana in a vehicle.
“We are very excited about him,” said Pearson. “He is going to increase our ability and help us become a more efficient division.”
Max and Kitko will continue to train together one day each week. Max will not only work with Kitko, he will live with him.
“The dog is very friendly,” said Pearson. “Officer Kitko has kids and cats and Max is fine with them.”
Max has already been out and about in the community. He was featured in the Arts in the Alley Parade and he attended the Sept. 21 Grove City Council meeting where he met city leaders, while keeping himself occupied with his Kong.
Max came to the city from France – yes, he understands English and French. He was trained through Storm Dog, a training facility in Delaware County.
Even though Max is a friendly dog, the division of police is asking community members not to pet him without permission from Kitko if he is spotted on the job. Officers also ask people not to get too close, without permission.
The division of police also advises people not to tease Max. It is a violation of law to harass a police dog.
If Max is a success, Pearson said the police department may bring on an additional police dog.
