July 17, 2020 – The Midland Police Department (MPD) is inviting the Midland community to help name the department’s newest four-legged officer via a community naming contest.
The dog, a 13 – 15-month old German Shepherd, will be selected by MPD with assistance from Mid-Michigan Police K9 in the coming weeks and is anticipated to begin training with its handler in September. The K9 will be trained to assist in search and recovery and article tracking, but will also interact directly with the public and be actively engaged in MPD’s community policing efforts.
To participate in the naming contest, residents can enter up to three (3) potential K9 names per person by visiting www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/namethek9. Paper contest forms will be available for those without internet access at the Midland Law Enforcement Center, 2727 Rodd Street, Midland.
Contest rules:
- The contest is open to Midland County residents only.
- Entries should be suitable for either male or female K9s.
- Entries should not be trademarks, registered brand names, or the names of organizations or corporations.
- Entries using the names of individuals either living or deceased will not be selected. First names are acceptable.
- Entries that are obscene, offensive and/or derogatory in nature will be disqualified.
The community naming contest will end at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 31
MPD staff will select its top three favorite names, with final naming rights given to the K9’s handler. The resident whose name entry is selected will receive a prize pack from MPD and a special meet-and-greet with the new K9 and its handler.
“Midland Police Department is both excited and grateful for the opportunity to continue our K9 program in 2020,” said Chief of Police Nicole Ford. “This K9 will play an important role in MPD’s presence in the community, so we hope our residents will join in our excitement and help us pick the perfect name for our newest officer.”
The new K9 will be purchased for the department following a generous donation of $77,848 from the Katherine A. Moore Revocable Trust accepted by the Midland City Council on Monday, July 13.
For more information on the Midland Police Department and its K9 unit, please visit www.cityofmidlandmi.gov/police.