Police canine unit begins work today

The Benton Police Department's new canine unit is now on the job.
At Monday's meeting of the city council, canine Officer Mark Wilkey and the department's new police dog, Ranger, were introduced to the council. The two just completed a 400-hour training course at the police academy.
Police Chief Kyle Melvin said the pair will begin full time duties today, July 12.
Wilkey said Ranger did extremely well on various testing procedures -- well enough to qualify for national competition.
In related police department news, council approved hiring Jeremy Young as a temporary full-time police officer for an additional 60 days to cover vacation time for other officers in the department.