Earlier this year, Mundelein’s K-9 unit was dispatched to the scene of a car crash where a driver was observed running behind a gas station before returning to his car to greet police.
Officer Steve Kroll, Titan’s handler, said the German shepherd led him to an eight-foot-tall electrical utility box where the man had tried to hide a supply of marijuana.
That case is one of 84 drug-related arrests Titan has contributed to in his 11 months on the job, according to Police Chief Eric Guenther. Furthermore, Guenther said Titan has also contributed to the seizure of $10,162 in crime-related cash and two cars collectively valued at $6,600.
In early May, Titan received a stab and bullet-resistant vest. Guenther said the nonprofit Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. offered a $1,000 grant, which was combined with several small donations from local businesses to cover the $1,795 cost of body armor.
As Titan’s one-year anniversary approaches, Guenther said he’s glad Mundelein acquired the K-9.
“This is one of the best things we’ve done in the last couple years,” Guenther said. “If you look at just the public relations aspect and you take away all the seized drugs and money, he’s still worth every dime.”
It was a few months after the August 2014 fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., when Guenther asked Mundelein village trustees to approve Titan’s addition to the department.
Aside from solving crime, Guenther said a dog would help his officers counteract the growing resentment and fear of police.
After going through significant training together, Kroll and Titan officially went on patrol in June 2015. Nearly a year later, Kroll said Titan is very good at breaking down barriers between police and the community.
“When we’re seen somewhere, whether it’s a call or just us cruising around, people sometimes have a poor opinion of police but then they see Titan and express curiosity,” Kroll said. “People like dogs, and he helps break the ice.”
Titan has performed in 16 demonstrations throughout Mundelein, Kroll said, largely winning the hearts of children and parents.
While Titan is used to search for people and ordinary objects, Guenther said a majority of his work involves drugs—particularly marijuana.
“No, Mundelein doesn’t have a gang problem,” Guenther said. “What you have to remember about gangs and drugs is that we have some pretty big roads that carry a lot of traffic between the various towns. About 90 percent of these narcotic finds come from vehicle searches.”
As for the cost, Guenther said Kroll and other officers who help cover shifts are the primary expense.
“The costs associated with Titan, like food and vet bills, are virtually all covered either through the original ($20,000) grant, past donations or unsolicited donations we continue to get,” Guenther said.
Mundelein sometimes pays overtime wages when Titan is needed on a scene or when training goes long or is only available at conflicting times. Additionally, due to ongoing training, Kroll and Titan are only on the street around 50 percent of the time, compared to Kroll’s patrol shifts prior to getting the K-9.
Mundelein budget documents show Guenther requested a new police officer position valued at $100,000, but was denied by village trustees. Guenther said that request was made to recover the other 50 percent of Kroll’s job.
A condition of the original grant makes Titan available to nearby police agencies, Kroll said.
Data compiled by the Mundelein police department shows that from July 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016 Titan was used for 63 vehicle searches in Mundelein and four similar searches in other towns. Likewise, he was used twice to track fleeing suspects in Mundelein, compared to five instances in other towns. He was also used four times to search for general evidence at a Mundelein scene and eight times by other departments, according to the data.
Guenther said Mundelein schools have requested meet and greets, but have not asked for Titan to search for drugs.
Of the cases that involve fleeing suspects, Guenther said some have dealt with burglary, armed robbery, home invasion and domestic violence, among others.
“That’s where we’ll be putting the vest on him,” Kroll said. “It’s very heavy so we don’t want to burden him with it all the time, but if there’s a potentially hostile environment or we know for sure someone is violent, then he needs to be protected just like the rest of us.”
The vest weighs about 4.5 pounds, according to Vested Interest in K9s.
So far, Kroll said Titan has not had to attack a suspect, but there have been several occasions where his presence immediately defused hostilities.
Village Trustee Ray Semple, who was the longtime chairman of the public safety committee, said he’s also pleased with Titan’s body of work.
“I have had the opportunity to see him in action in his PR role and as a member of our ‘take down team’ and he is awesome,” Semple said. “(Titan) has been a great addition to the force … he has found a considerable amount of illegal substances for Mundelein and our neighboring communities.”
Twitter @Rick_Kambic
