Lake Wales, Fla. (November 25, 2024) – A new 9-month-old Belgian Malinois canine, named Bogey, joins the Lake Wales Police Department’s K-9 unit after being donated by Patriot Canine Services. The donation saves the department approximately $10,000.
Bogey is set to partner with newly appointed K-9 handler, Officer Russell Klingler. The team will begin training on December 20th at the Polk County Sheriff’s K-9 Training Facility.
“I’m excited to see the new K-9 team grow in their training and look forward to getting them out in the community,” Chief Chris Velasquez stated.
Upon completion of training and meeting Florida Department of Law Enforcement standards, the Lake Wales Police Department will have one K-9 on each of the four patrol shifts, providing around-the-clock coverage in Lake Wales. The Lake Wales Police Department established the K-9 unit in 1997.