Robinson Police Reach Fundraising Goal for Canine Officer

Robinson Police Chief Dale Vietmeier said his department is weeks away from adding a canine officer to its ranks. 

Vietmeier said the department received $5,000 from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, funding that will be used toward adopting and training the dog through the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Canine School.

The Allegheny County District Attorney's Office agreed to match that grant. Coupled with donations from community members and Robinson-area businesses, including Giant Eagle, the department now has enough funding to move forward with the adoption. 

Canine officers cost between $15,000 and $20,000 to adopt and train, Vietmeier said. 

The Roethlisberger Foundation donated $66,400 in grant dollars to Pittsburgh-area police departments, including those in Aliquippa, Clairton and Mt. Pleasant, according to an announcement from the organization. 

Vietmeier said Officer Frank Bryan will serve as the dog's handler and will soon begin a 12-week training program through Pittsburgh's canine bureau. 

"And that's full time—that's (Officer Bryan's) assignment for the next 12 weeks," he said. 

After Ryan completes training, Robinson Police will move forward with the adoption. 

"It's going to help us an awful lot with people who are shoplifting and running from us, for missing people, for drug investigations," Vietmeier said. 

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