Sheldon, Iowa — A first in the history of the Sheldon Police Department takes place this Wednesday morning (June 30th) when the department’s first-ever police K9, Balin, takes to the streets with his human partner, Officer Eric Meineke.
For the past 13 weeks, Sheldon Police Officer Eric Meineke and his K9 partner, Balin, have been training together at a facility in the Minneapolis area. Officer Meineke talks about that training.
Meineke says his dog, Balin, is very smart and picks up new things quickly.
Meineke says he and his four-legged partner have formed a strong bond.
He calls Balin a multiple use K9.
Meineke talks about how his work life changed when he got a K9 partner.
Meineke says he and Balin have also had the opportunity to train with officers from other northwest Iowa agencies and their K9 partners.
Meineke and K9 Balin begin their partnership patrolling the streets of Sheldon bright and early Wednesday morning.
Image: Officer Eric Meineke and K9 Balin are pictured next to their specially-equipped K9 patrol vehicle.
