Rolling Meadows getting drug dog

When Rolling Meadows police officers pull over drivers this summer, they won't hesitate to bring in the drug-sniffing dog.

Within reason, that is, Police Chief Steven Williams said.

"If an officer pulls over a 98-year-old woman who ran a red light, we probably won't sniff her car," Williams said. "But generally, it's not something we'll hesitate to use."

After a six-week training course, the Rolling Meadows Police Department will welcome its first canine member in August. The department joins several other nearby departments that have police dogs, including Arlington Heights, Elk Grove and Palatine.

However, unlike some of these other police dogs, the Rolling Meadows dog will only be used for one thing --drugs, Williams said.

"Some dogs are cross-trained to sniff for bombs and cadavers, but our dog's sole purpose will be to check for narcotics," Williams said.

Some of the drugs include marijuana, heroin and cocaine. Local schools can also use the dog to sniff lockers, Williams said.

The startup cost for the police dog, including equipment and training, is $28,000. Yearly expenses will be an additional $8,000 to $12,000, Williams said.

The entire cost of the dog will be paid for with narcotics arrest-related funds -- meaning drug dealers will eventually pay for the dogs that may have gotten them arrested in the first place.

"The bad guys are paying for this," Williams said.

The Rolling Meadows "federal asset forfeiture fund" balance is $60,490.

The dog will be paired with a Rolling Meadows police officer, who will spend six weeks in Indiana training with the dog in July.

The officer will work daily with the dog and keep the animal at night.