Atascadero Police Department swears in new K9 cop
Pit and Officer Chris Hester are a crime-fighting team
A new K9 cop was sworn into active duty on Thursday on the steps of city hall in downtown Atascadero. Pit is a two-year-old German Shepherd, bred in Germany and shipped to the United States where he first met his human partner, Officer Chris Hester. Hester, on the other hand is an officer who has worked toward being part of a K9 unit for the past decade.
“It’s been my goal for the past nine or 10 years,” Hester said. “It was awesome when they first introduced me to him. We bonded right away.”
Atascadero Mayor Tom O’Malley with the city’s new K9.
Bringing a K9 unit to the Atascadero Police Department Could not happen without the support of the community. The cost of the dog is about $10,000 and each level of school is about $5,000 each, putting the total cost in the neighborhood of $20,000. Nearly every cent comes from individuals and community-support organizations, including more than $4,000 that was raised AT a recent spaghetti dinner thrown by the Elks, Kiwanis and Masons in Atascadero.
“The K9 program isn’t funded by the city,” said, Atascadero Police Commander Allen. “One hundred percent of funding comes from the community and organizations like Kiwanis, Elks and Masons. We appreciate everything they do to support us.”
Hester and Pit started patrol school March 16, and Pit is now trained in search and apprehension. If all goes well with funding, the partners will attend narcotics training. In addition to police work, Hester and Pit will make the rounds to public events and schools. Pit lives with Hester and will work side-by-side for about seven years before he retires. He will continue to live with Hester after retirement.
“I’d like to get him some experience first then, hopefully, we’ll go to school for narcotics detection,” Hester said.
Local groups handed over a check for $4,013.83 during the swearing-in ceremony. Albert Almodova of Elks and Kiwanis emphasized how important it was that these local community groups came together in this common cause, which he said he hopes will continue to grow. “It was a good idea for all the groups to come together,” Almodova said. “We earned $4,000 from the git-go, and next year, we hope to double it.”
Mayor Pro Tem Heather Moreno said credited Atascadero’s community-mindedness for the police support. “It’s a lot of people coming together, and that’s how Atascadero works,” Moreno said. “Whether it’s the newer, bigger library we just opened or the bandstand at the lake park, we get things done here.”
Atascadero Mayor Tom O’Malley is a member of both Elks and Kiwanis and said he hopes the groups continue the fundraising so they can support the K9 unit into the future. “This is a true community event and support for a very good cause,” O’Malley said.
Other dignitaries were on scene, such as Ninth District Supervisor Debbie Arnold and Police Chief Jerel Hayley.
For anyone wishing to donate to the K9 program, they can email Hester at chester@atascadero.org.
