Winkler Police Service will see the return of a K-9 Unit.

"It's a real benefit to our police service," Winkler Police Chief Rick Hiebert says, adding a police dog makes everyone safer, able to search for criminals in dark and unknown environments.

"Why go in and expose the officer... let the dog go in first," Hiebert says with it's keen sense of smell.

The police dog is expected to be trained and on-duty spring 2019.

The unit is renewed thanks to $87,000 from the Manitoba Government through a criminal property forfeiture fund.

Justice Minister Heather Stefanson made the announcement in Winkler Monday.

"Access to the right equipment and a properly trained dog can make all the difference when responding to a call for help," says Stefanson.

Manitoba's Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund will be used to cover the costs of a new police service dog including specialized training for the animal and its handler. Its training will allow the dog to detect drugs and track people including suspects or missing people. Provincial funding will also be used to purchase a dedicated vehicle for the K-9 unit and outfit it with a kennel.  

Winnipeg's police dog Bailey was on hand for the announcement Monday

"The ability to seize criminals' assets and turn that into grants for equipment, tools and training is of huge benefit, especially for our smaller police agencies," Hiebert says.  

Winkler's first police service dog, Tika, was trained to detect drugs. She retired in 2017 after serving the community for seven years. The police agency has not previously had a dedicated vehicle for its K-9 unit.

The city's next police dog will be considered a dual-purpose dog, able to track suspects and drugs.

Sean O'Brien will be taking over the K-9 Unit in Winkler, and says he's looking forward to working together with his canine partner.

"I think everyone is looking forward to getting the pup, socializing and introducing them to the community," he says. "He's going to be my main partner so I'm looking forward to getting acquainted and starting our career together."

On average, a police dog can see a career of 6-10 years.

The announcement was made at Bethel Heritage Park in Winkler

While the K-9 unit will be based in Winkler, they will also provide support to other police agencies in the region as needed.

"It's a win-win situation," Morden Police Chief Brad Neduzak says. "We work so closely together with the Winkler, Altona members and RCMP."

Wally Antoniuk, Trainer with the Winnipeg Police K-9 Unit says police dogs are essential.

"They keep people out of harm's way," he says. "And they have the ability to track someone from a crime scene that a person couldn't physically do."

The dog will also be trained in apprehending suspects, "it keeps the officer in a safer position," he says.

Antoniuk says it's great to see specialized units deployed in smaller communities, "the more dogs are out there, the safer the officers can be... the more agencies that have dogs the better."

Police dogs are also being trained to detect potentially dangerous substances like Fentanyl.

Scott Morier of the Winnipeg K-9 Unit with police dog Bailey

Altona Police Service purchased five protective vests and helmets with its portion of funding. Submitted photo.

The minister also announced new resources for other police services in the region Monday.  Altona Police Service will receive nearly $6,700 to purchase five protective vests and helmets, to be used by officers responding to potentially dangerous situations. Morden Police Service will receive more than $27,000 to upgrade its outdoor firearms range, which is used for training by several police agencies serving the region.

More than $1.5 million will be distributed this year through the criminal property forfeiture program, helping police across Manitoba fight crime in their communities. There are currently 120 active forfeiture files being pursued by the province, involving vehicles, property, cash and other assets.