(From left to right): Jack Savage (MV NECA), Mike Reiser (VEC, Inc.), Don Walker (Mercy Health PD) and Bill Booth (IBEW Local 64) with Maiko, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois on the Mercy Health police force.
A recent donation from NECA-IBEW Electricians has helped the Mercy Health police department strengthen its K9 officer program.
“We couldn’t do what we do without community support like this,” said Ryan Bonacci, chief of police, Mercy Health. “This donation will help us keep the K9 program going well into the future.”
Recently, NECA-IBEW Electricians reps were treated to a demonstration from Maico, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois on the Mercy Health police force. Maico was put to the test by its handler, officer Don Walker, who hid small samples of three different types of explosive materials in a section of a parking garage. Without missing a beat, Maico sniffed out each one.
During a recent demonstration, Maico sniffed out three different types of explosive materials hidden in a section of a parking garage.
Officer Walker said Maico’s value is recognized throughout the community. The four-legged officer has helped track missing patients and assisted neighboring police departments, as well.
“Our member contractors and union locals take pride in giving back to the local community in meaningful ways, and the opportunity to help the Mercy Health police force and K9 unit was one we were eager to act on,” said Bill Booth, president, IBEW Local 64 in Youngstown.
NECA-IBEW Electricians is an association of IBEW-represented electricians in Warren and Youngstown, and signatory electrical contractors in the Mahoning Valley.