Coralville police introduce new K-9 team

CORALVILLE - When the Coralville Police Department began the process of adding a new K-9 officer, they laid out a long list of essential traits.

Skills in tracking was the No. 1 priority, Chief Shane Kron said. But, the dog also needed to be trained in narcotics detection and be good with the public.

The laundry list of needs didn't stop with the dog. Kron said they were looking for a handler who was knowledgeable and dedicated to both the dog and the department.

'It's just trying to figure out who is the best pick,” Kron said of selecting a handler, though that sentiment could be applied to the dog, as well.

The team that checked those boxes for the department was Officer Brad Clark and his new partner, Matz, an 11-month-old German shepherd. Matz was obtained from Northern Michigan K-9 in Harrison. The duo completed their training in September and have been on patrol since early October.

Growing up in a law enforcement family - Clark's father Steve Clark is a longtime Coralville officer - Clark said he always planned to go into law enforcement and working with a K-9 is something that interested him.

'I just always found it intriguing,” he said. 'It always looked like it would be a lot of fun.”

Clark's opportunity came after Ivan, Coralville's first K-9, was put to rest in May after a 10-year career with the police department. Kron said former Chief Barry Bedford began setting aside funds for a new K-9 a couple years ago. More than half the $12,500 that the department paid for Matz and his training was donated by a Coralville couple, Kron said.

Clark arrived at Northern Michigan K-9 on Sept. 4 and was introduced to Matz on Sept. 5. The training began that day.

'It's all about learning what the dog is doing,” he said. 'By the time we get the dog, it's already been training for months and months and months. It knows what to do. We just have to learn what it's doing so we don't mess it up.”

In addition to being trained in narcotics detection, tracking and apprehension, Kron said the department made sure to get a dog that would be friendly with the public.

'Our dog gets as much use at public events as it does working on the street,” Kron said. 'I think we need a greater range of skills out of our dog than most places do.”

Since returning to work, Clark said Matz' skills have been put to use almost every day he's gone to work. The duo has done a track and 'a lot” of car sniffs looking for narcotics.

'It's been great,” Clark said. 'He's been doing a good job.”

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