University police get new K-9

Tara's main goal in life is to get the ball, which makes her smell everything. Tara, a Belgian Milionis, was born in the Netherlands and is the newest member of the Ball State University Police Department's K-9 unit. Deputy Chief Robert Fey said Tara cost the department $11,000, including her five weeks of training.

Officer Scott Stafford is Tara's handler. He has worked with the department for seven years. Stafford said Tara was a social and loving dog, which was part of the reason he selected her. Stafford chose Tara several weeks before the training began." I think she is an asset to the Ball State community," Stafford said.

Director of Public Safety Chief Gene Burton said the Vohne Liche Kennels staff was aware of the department's needs and recommended Tara as an excellent fit to Ball State. Stafford and Tara spent their five weeks of training at Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana. The first week of training was for Stafford and Tara to get to know each other. The rest of their time involved in 10-hour days of training.

Tara is trained in drug detection and basic patrol work. Stafford said the drug detection was Tara's favorite training exercise. Tara was at the top of her class, and her reward for finding drugs was her ball, which she was always trying to earn, Stafford said.

Stafford says for Tara, training will continue. Every day for at least a few minutes, Tara has training exercises, and an eight-hour training session once a month. Tara escorts Stafford during every tour of duty. When he calls in sick, she calls in sick as well, he said. If necessary, he said, Tara would bite to protect him and her self. This is used as a last resort. Tara is not mean at all, he said. Stafford said he had to learn basic commands in her (Tara's) first language, which is Dutch.

When off duty, Tara lives with Stafford, his wife and 3 other dogs.
" This is something I have always wanted to do," Stanford said. Fey said members of the community were encouraged to get to know Tara.