Southwick Police K-9 handler Mike Westcott is seen with his new K-9 General. (Photo courtesy of Southwick Police Department)
SOUTHWICK – On Friday the Southwick Police Department announced that they have a new K-9.
The K-9 is named “General” after Jack Jeneral, a Southwick resident who gave the police department an $8,000 donation towards the K-9 fund.
Officer Mike Westcott, who is the new K-9 handler in the department, recently went to Shallow Creek Kennels in Pennsylvania where he ended up selecting General as the K-9.
Chief David Ricardi is excited to have General aboard and see the K-9 department continue its success.
“I’m looking forward to getting him out on training and back onto patrol because he’s a great asset for this department and this community,” said Ricardi.
Currently, Westcott and General are into their second week of K-9 training which lasts eight to 12 weeks.
General will be used for a number of different things as the department’s K-9, including searching for drugs, evidence, lost children and elderly, and just regular patrol work.
On August 1st Westcott was named the new K-9 handler for the Southwick Police Department. Sgt. Tom Krutka, who left the position as K-9 handler due to a promotion, preceded Westcott. Krutka’s promotion coincided with his K-9 partner Jax’s retirement and now Jax is spending the rest of his life living with Krutka.
There will also be a spaghetti and chicken supper fundraiser on October 14 to benefit the Southwick Police Department. The event will take place from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Southwick VFW. It costs $10 for adults and $4 for children 10 years and under.
The event will give the community the chance to wish Jax a happy retirement and meet Westcott and General.
