After many years of service, Bartlesville Police Department K-9s Apollo and Diesel will face retirement soon. To prepare for their absence, the BPD has launched the “Bartlesville Police K-9 Supporter program” — a program aimed at raising the money needed to purchase and train two new dogs for the department’s K-9 program.
“We started the program because the K-9 dogs and equipment are not budgeted for in the City’s budget,” said K-9 Apollo handler officer Troy Newell. “With our current dogs, Apollo and Diesel, facing retirement soon, it is imperative that we begin now the process of raising the money required to replace them.”
Newell said the cost to purchase and train two new dogs will be about $35,000, which includes two full patrol K-9s, the K-9 handler’s course, two K-9 vehicle inserts and two heat alarms for the vehicles.
Newell said he got the idea to start a supporter group after researching other police departments and finding that Owasso has a similar program.
“The program allows businesses and families to show the community that they support the Bartlesville police and, specifically, the K-9 units,” Newell said.
Supporters can donate on varying levels — from a “Bronze Supporter” with a $50 contribution, to the “K-9 Thin Blue Line Supporter” with a donation of $500 or more. Bronze, Silver, Gold and Thin Blue Line supporters receive decals and other benefits with their donations.
Bronze Supporter — $50 contribution
Receives 1 Supporter decal
Silver Supporter — $100 contribution
Receives 2 Supporter decals
Gold Supporter — $350 contribution
Receives 2 Supporter decals and a ride-along with BPD K-9 Unit
K-9 Thin Blue Line Supporter — $500 or more contribution
Receives 2 Supporter decals, a ride-along with a BPD K-9 unit and a 9×12 plaque, customized with the donor’s information
“The Supporter decals consist of the Bartlesville Police Department badge and say ‘We Support’ on them,” Newell said. “The plaques also have the Bartlesville Police Department badge and say, ‘Supporter’ on them. The plaques will also be customized to each business or individual.
Newell said he is hopeful the community will get behind the project, which will be ongoing so that future needs for the K-9 program can be met in a timely manner.
“The reason I wanted to start this program is so that we will, hopefully, never have to try and raise this much money at one time again,” said Newell. “The decals will have a year on them, so we want to encourage people to support us every year for the minimum $50 donation. This would ensure that when we need new dogs or equipment in the future, the money will already be there and we won’t be trying to raise 35,000 all at once in the future.”
To donate to the Bartlesville Police K-9 Supporter program, or for more information, call Newell or officer Andrew Ward, who is the handler for K-9 Diesel, at 918-338-4001. Messages will be returned.