Clinton's renewed K-9 program is off and running. Officer Greg Matakaetis has been chosen to become the dog's handler (K-9 term) and more. The dog, whose name will be Ace, will spend all day on the job with him and all night, weekends and holidays with the officer, living with him at his home.
Matakaetis recently became a lifetime member of the Connecticut Police Working Dog Association. He joined the Clinton Police Department in January of 2010.
To read more about the department's new .
"Ace" was born and will be trained at Shallow Creek Kennels in Pennsylvania. He (or she) will be named
Other organizations that have given to the K-9 program include:
- Waterford Police Department has offered to supply the bullet proof vest for the canine.
- Clinton Lions Club donated to the program
- Matakaetis’ high school has donated
The department is looking into grants from the Department of Transportation for money to outfit the K-9 vehicle.
Soon, Matakaetis will attend two dog handling classes with the Waterford Police Department. He will then head to Shallow Creek Kennels and meet his dog. Training is for six weeks starting in April.
He and Ace will head back to Clinton in mid-May.
