By Police1 Staff
ST. ANTHONY, Idaho — An Idaho police department received a new K-9 thanks to “CHiPs” star Erik Estrada.
The Idaho State Journal reported that Estrada recently donated a 3-year-old narcotics dog to the St. Anthony Police Department. Chief Allen Neff introduced K-9 Mako, who recently returned from extensive training in Utah, to the force.
“It will be a phenomenal asset not only to us but to the community,” Chief Neff said.
The department has experienced an ongoing problem with funding and didn’t have the opportunity to afford the $15,000 needed to get the K-9. After learning about their problem, Estrada and a team of reserve officers came up with the funds to provide the department with a narcotics dog.
“The reserve team started a fundraising campaign conducted in October of last year and March of this year allowing the police department to purchase K-9 Mako without (the department) having to reallocate funds from an already stretched budget,” Chief Neff said.
Sgt. Greg Belew, Mako’s handler, and Chief Neff both expressed their gratitude for the donation. Mako and Belew will attend Idaho’s Police Officer Standards and training to get their Idaho certificate.
Estrada became a reserve officer for the St. Anthony Police Department in July 2016. Since then, the actor has continued to work with the department and contributed funds and materials to help the department.