Schools to Share Dedicated K-9

Thanks to an anonymous donor, students in the county and city schools will soon see a new officer walking the halls.

Xena, a German shepherd currently being trained to find contraband, was donated to the sheriff’s office by a teacher, according to the sheriff’s office. When she graduates QRF Solutions K9, Zena will be trained in detecting guns, marijuana, THC, nicotine and vape products, and other items prohibited from campuses.

Lt. Timothy Inman of the sheriff’s office told the school boards that the K-9 was a gift from a teacher.

“This initiative began with an extraordinary act of generosity from a dedicated teacher within Whiteville City Schools, who wishes to remain anonymous,” Inman wrote in his proposal. “This individual personally purchased a young K-9 and funded the initial phase of her training—not for recognition, and not for personal benefit, but simply because they saw a need and had the vision to meet it.

“This teacher recognized how much of a difference a trained school-based K-9 could make in protecting students, reducing contraband, and giving parents greater confidence in the safety of their children each day.

“This donation demonstrates the heart, dedication, and forward-thinking mindset present in our schools, and it sets the tone for a partnership rooted in doing what is best for the children of Columbus County.”

The city and county school boards recently agreed to split the $9,000 remaining cost for training Xena and her handler. The final training includes a four-week one on one class with the handler and dog; boarding costs for the handler during the training; and national certification for Xena and her handler.

The sheriff’s office will fund all longterm costs for the dog, including gear, annual recertification, housing, a vehicle and general care.

School K-9s are trained differently than the dogs who ride patrol with deputies, narcotics detectives and other officers. School K-9s are taught to operate in school environments, where the dog is frequently exposed to large crowds. Xena will be certified in searching everything from backpacks and lockers to gyms and classrooms, according to the sheriff’s office.

Xena and her School Resource Officer handler will be based assigned to an as-yet-to-be designated school, but the K-9 team will make weekly random visits to all county and city schools. The proposal to the school boards says the K-9 will improve early detection of potential threats, enhance the capabilities of SROs, reduce contraband and create a faster response time when weapons are found on campuses. The dog will also help improve relations between SROs and students.

Applications to become a K-9 handler are being accepted from staff at the sheriff’s office. When the new handler is chosen, he or she will be evaluated with Zena to be sure the team can work together before the final training is completed.

“This is a pro-active prevention-based investment in the well-being of our students,” Inman said in the proposal.