Greensburg looking to bolster its police dog unit

Greensburg plans to add two police dogs to its roster.

The police department previously had two dogs. One, Dax, retired last year, and died soon after at 13. The other, Falco, is nearing retirement age.

City council will start the process of acquiring two dogs Monday with a vote on whether to accept $23,000 in funding from the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office to buy and train the dogs.

Police dogs usually are bred in Europe, then purchased young and trained by their handlers, said Greensburg Detective Chuck Irvin, who was Dax’s handler for about 12 years.

European dogs generally are seen as more reliable than their American counterparts, Irvin said.

“The Europeans breed the working dogs to work,” he said. “They don’t care what they look like, while generally American dogs are bred for show.”

The early training can take months and gives dogs and their handlers a chance to bond.

Department leadership will interview officers interested in becoming handlers and choose two, Capt. Shawn Denning said. Those chosen will be trained in how to teach and manage police dogs.

“We’re definitely in the early stages still,” Denning said.

Police dogs typically live with their handlers. The dogs are trained in drug detection and tracking.

“They can do things that humans just aren’t capable of doing. They can clear houses. They can track suspects,” Denning said.

The dogs also make for good public relations, Irvin said.

“I can’t tell you how many kids I got to introduce the dog to, and how that is great for the community,” he said.

A timeline for the purchase and training of the dogs has not been determined, but it is likely at least one will be ready to join the force by late this year, Irvin said.