Chief Olander Smith and Franklinton Police Department recently welcomed the newest member of their law enforcement family.

K-9 Finley, a one-year-old black lab whose services will be utilized with FPD’s Search and Rescue/Compassion Program, joined the department. Patrolman First Class Anthony Cox, who is spearheading the program, has worked with K-9s throughout his law enforcement career and will be Finley’s handler.

Cox contacted Animal House Rescue in Hammond, who donated Finley to the department. Finley was surrendered by her owner due to health issues and being unable to keep her. The St. John Parish Animal Control, who fostered Finley to the Animal House Rescue, is a 501 (c)(3) who rescues dogs, cats, and other neglected animals, and finds suitable homes for them.

Finley is a Search and Rescue K-9. She will aid her handler in searching for lost and missing individuals, and will also provide comfort while visiting local schools, hospitals, and nursing home facilities. Finley is not, nor will she ever be trained, as an apprehension canine for criminal patrol.

In order to be qualified, Finley first had to pass a temperance test to confirm that she fits the profile of a comfort dog. After becoming qualified, Finley was then enrolled at the USK9 Unlimited Training Center for an eight-week training program to learn Level 2 obedience and Search and Rescue.

Finley’s training is being paid in part by the Deputy Jeremy Triche Hero Foundation. Deputy Triche and his partner, Deputy Brandon Nielson, were both ambushed and killed in the line of duty while responding to a disturbance that occurred in St. John Parish in 2012. Franklinton Police Department is honored to have Finley, in memory of these officers.

Smith wishes to thank the St. John Parish Animal Control, Animal House Rescue, USK9 Unlimited Training Center and Cox for all the work that has gone into this project.