News

Maki joins police force

By Bill Moss, Published: January 26, 2015

Maky, a German Shepherd and Belgium Malinois mix, has joined the Hendersonville Police Department.

The Police Department dog trainer, Officer Jennifer Drake, is a certified K-9 handler and trainer throughout the United States. She was informed of the availability of a drug- and building-search dog. Officer Drake and Officer Robert Cantwell, the officer who will be handling Maky, traveled to Alabama to evaluate him for police training. Cantwell and Maky immediately bonded, and Maky was added to the team. Officer Cantwell is a 14-year veteran police officer, and this will be his first K-9 partner. With the addition of Maky, the Hendersonville Police Department now has four working patrol dogs and a bloodhound for use in daily police activities.

In the coming weeks, Officer Cantwell and Maky will be certified by the North American Police Working Dog Association. The NAPWA requirements of police dogs are stringent. Police dogs are required to complete weekly training hours and pass certification tests. Maky will be used primarily for drug intervention, building searches and apprehension. All of the K-9 officers are called upon from time to time to conduct community outreach demonstrations. We encourage and welcome these requests.

"We are excited and feel fortunate to have Maky as the newest member of the Hendersonville Police Department," Police Capt. Bruce Simonds said in a news release. "The donation of a trained and in Maky's case, veteran K-9 has saved the City and taxpayers thousands of dollars and completed our K-9 team. Maky will be utilized to his highest potential."-