The Wright State Police Department’s newest officer is a 13 month-old, Belgian Malinois from a house vendor in France.
Jenkka is the new K-9 officer stepping into the role once filled by Tito, whom retired earlier this year. She is a Narcotics K-9 and has been trained to locate drugs while on patrol.
Officer Nelda Mattison is Jenkka’s handler and partner. She has been with the department nearly five years.
In a Wright State Newsroom video, Mattison had this to say:
“I think our biggest thing is safety,” Mattison said. “After that we do enforcement, then deter, and after that it’s education, teaching the students why it is important to have a K-9 on our campus.”
Mattison has shared the importance of having K-9’s as part of the department.
We usually walk around Springwood Lane and housing areas,” Mattison said. “We’ll do some traffic stops if we get something that’s awesome, if we don’t that’s awesome too, because we know there aren’t drugs in that vehicle. We’re just here to maintain the safety of our students."
Jenkka and Mattison, have both undergone extensive training at Storm Dog K-9 training in Columbus, where they worked on scent detecting and bonding according to the Wright State University Newsroom.
“She’s my partner, she’s got my back,” Mattison said. “She’s my best friend.”
Wright State University junior Justin Pepera, thinks the addition of Jenkka will be a valuable asset.
“I think adding another K-9 will be valuable for the department as well as the university,” said Pepera.
With the addition of Jenkka, the department now has two K-9 officers. Galli, the other K-9 officer, is also a Belgian Malinois.
