BY JOHN REED LEADER EDITOR
KNOX — In a few weeks, a new K-9, Hart, will become an officer with the Knox Police Department, providing coverage for the county.
Chad Keen, an officer with the department since 2006, is training now with Hart at Vohne Liche Kennels (pronounced Von Lick) in Denver, Ind., near Peru.

“There were some standard operating procedures that were not being followed with the previous dog,” Chief Clint Norem said. “If not followed, that could create problems.”
Norem said the decision was made to change handlers. Keen went to Vohne Liche Kennels for training with Carlos, but problems surfaced there.
“They started seeing some things they were concerned with, and couldn’t correct those issues. They contacted me and said they weren’t going to complete the training,” Norem said. Carlos in particular had trouble with the tracking aspects of the training.
The kennel did work with Knox to provide a new dog, and offered to redo the training with Keen and the new dog. Hart is a Belgian Malinois
Carlos currently is “retired” and back in Knox. “We’re looking at the possibility of providing him to another agency that uses dogs.” Failing that, he will be adopted out to a good home as a household pet.
Former K-9 Officer Chad Dulin has been reassigned as a patrol officer.
Norem said the changes won’t make any significant revisions in how the canine program works. The department will continue to cooperate with other agencies needing a dog.