Slate Belt Regional Police K9 Unit
Hello and Welcome to the K9 Unit page!
K9 Zorro
Chief Hoadley and the Slate Belt Regional Police Commission supported and recognized the need within the department and the community to have a Police K9. With that the K9 unit was formed in 2023 with the help of donations from the community and businesses located in the Slate Belt. The K9 unit is a new program to Slate Belt Regional and in March of 2023 Officer Joshua Lowe was selected as the K9 Handler. Officer Lowe attended the K9 Handler Academy at High Drive K9 in South Carolina, where he was partnered with K9 Zorro!
K9 Zorro is a "dual purpose" police K9 meaning he is cross trained in Patrol and Narcotics Detection. K9 Zorro and Officer Lowe attend required monthly training and are certified through the North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA). K9 Zorro and Officer Lowe can be seen protecting the streets of Plainfield Township, Pen Argyl, and Wind Gap Boroughs as well as assisting neighboring police departments should the request for assistance be made.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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What breed is K9 Zorro?
- K9 Zorro is a cross between a Belgian Malinois and a German Shepherd
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How old is K9 Zorro and how much does he weigh?
- K9 Zorro was born on October 5, 2021 and he weighs approximately 65lbs!
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How does K9 Zorro stay safe on patrol?
- Zorro's patrol car is equipped with a special kennel designed for police cars. It's equipped with temperature sensors, fans, and a door popper! If the temperature sensor is ever activated the police car's lights and siren activate and an audible message is broadcasted alerting officers and the public to the emergency! K9 Zorro also has a special protective vest that was purchased thanks to donations made by the community which he wears while on patrol just like our other officers!
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Where does K9 Zorro go when he's not working?
- Zorro goes home at the end of each shift with Officer Lowe and resides with him and his family.
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Can I pet K9 Zorro?
- Sadly, No. When K9 Zorro is on-duty he is all business and ready for work meaning the public and even other police officers CANNOT pet Zorro.
How can I support K9 Zorro?
If you are interested in supporting K9 Zorro, you can make a donation directly to the department via our DONATE page. Select the K9 program from the drop down selection and the money will be used to directly support Zorro!
Donations are directly used to support Zorro in a variety of ways. Food, toys, vet bills, insurance, special equipment, and training are all things that are paid for thanks to donations from the community! The goal of the K9 Unit upon its inception was to fund the program through donations from the community and businesses so it is vital we continue to receive the support from our fantastic community to keep the program up and running!
If you are a business or organization that is interested in supporting K9 Zorro whether it be a donation or if you would like to host an event to support Zorro you can contact Officer Lowe via email at jlowe@slatebeltpd.com or you can stop by the Police Station and speak with our Administrative Assistant or Chief of Police.
Interested in having K9 Zorro attend a community event or function?
Please contact Officer Lowe via email at jlowe@slatebeltpd.com or Contact our Administrative Assistant Pat! We do our best to have Officer Lowe and K9 Zorro at a variety of community events if their work and training schedule allows so be on the lookout for the K9 car!
