One Elk Grove K-9 retires, another joins force

Elk Grove Village's police force is getting a new K-9, while another hangs up her leash for retirement.

The new dog to join the force is Sem, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois who works the night shift with officer Eric Perkins. Sem graduated from service handler school in Indiana before hitting the streets with Perkins this year.

Retiring from the force after more than seven years is 11-year-old Kim, who will continue to live at home with her handler, officer Steve O'Neil.

Since May 2008, Kim responded to 2,045 incidents, helped make 166 arrests, found two suspects during building searches, and helped recover drugs and $224,884, said Police Chief Stephen Schmidt.

Officers and their dogs from local departments, part of the Northern Impact K-9 group, came to Tuesday's village board meeting to welcome Sem and honor Kim for her service.

"They train together and work a lot together," Schmidt said. "It takes a special person to be a K-9 officer."