Police K-9 demonstration scheduled for Saturday morning

Maricopa residents will have a chance to meet one of the furriest members of the Maricopa Police Department Saturday morning.

During the department’s monthly Coffee with the Chief event, Officer Craig Curry, a K-9 handler, will drop in with his dog Ike to demonstrate the animal’s skills.

Curry will show “how the dog operates, how it sniffs, how it looks for stuff,” said Ricky Alvarado, a spokesman for the department.

Ike is a Dutch Shepherd trained in area searches and finding narcotics.

Ike also will show how he is trained to protect Curry, Alvarado said. Plus, Maricopa Police Chief Steve Stahl plans to put on protective layers and allow Ike to take a bite.

Curry and Ike are one of two K-9 units in the department. Officer Justin Thorton is the handler of Kasper, a dog who’s been with the department for about five years.

The event begins at 8 a.m. at the Maricopa Police Department, 39675 W. Civic Center Plaza South. The department is located next to city hall, which is on White and Parker Road, just north of Bowlin Road.

Coffee with the Chief is a monthly event that allows residents to speak with the police chief, learn about department activities and express any community concerns.  

It is open to the public.