SWATARA, Pa. — The Swatara Township Police Department has a new K-9 officer on patrol.
On Monday, the department announced that Officer Matt Kielselowsky and K-9 Soul graduated from the Iron Rose K-9 Academy in Boiling Springs.
The newest addition to the force brings the Swatara Police's K-9 unit up to four, which means that each patrol platoon now has a K-9.
"This accomplishment would not have been made possible without the unwavering support of Pa. State Representative Dave Madsen, Swatara Township Commissioners past and present and Iron Rose K-9," said the department in a statement.
K-9 Soul received his name with the help of Ms. Barbara Barksdale, the caretaker of the Historic Midland Cemetery located in Swatara Township.
The new officer's name pays tribute to the souls buried in the cemetery, which "is the final resting place for slaves, former slaves, men of the United States Colored Troops, Buffalo Soldiers and numerous leaders of the area's African American community", according to Midland Cemetery's website.
