K9 Officer Leo Newest to Join Greenville Police Department

The Greenville Police Department is proud to announce their newest member. This addition was made possible by the generosity of The Greenville Lions Club.

A representative from the Greenville Lions Club contacted The Greenville Police Department in July 2016, requesting information about supporting our department through the purchase and training of a police K9.

A young, unseasoned dog costs approximately $7,500; training for a handler is approximately $6,000. The department’s K9 supervisor met with the Lions Club to discuss police dog costs, including food. A few weeks later, The Greenville Lions Club voted to donate $20,000 to the K9 Fund to cover purchase of a dog, K9 training, and food for seven years.

On September 13, 2016, several members of the Greenville Lions Club visited the Law Enforcement Center and presented a check to GPD. Our police department and our City appreciate the support of the Lions Club, under the leadership of co-presidents Phyllis Foster and Mary Lee Bentzel. We are grateful for their interest in making the Greenville community a safer place.

The Greenville Police Department is honored to welcome this black Belgian Malinois, “Leo,” as our newest officer. Leo is a dual purpose K9 that is trained in detecting explosives as well as a regular patrol K9.