WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A new K-9 unit has been added to the Waterford Police Department, along with his handler, police Officer Michael Zorza.
According to officials with the Waterford Police Department, their last police K-9 animals were retired in 2016, leaving the department with no animals or handlers since.
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After reorganization, they decided to reactivate their K-9 program, adding Diesel and Zorza to the staff.
Diesel has been trained in tracking and drug detection.
Unlike most K-9 units, Diesel is a Dutch sheppard rather than a German sheppard. According to authorities, he came from a specifically selected breeder specializing in police K-9 animals.
Diesel and Zorza attended the Oakland Community College advanced police training K-9 academy, where they received specialized training and bonded as a team over a five-week period.
The team is now deployed as part of the department's regularly scheduled road patrol. They will respond to all types of calls for service, as any officer does without a police K-9. This assignment will not limit their ability to act in any way as an assigned road patrol unit.
The entire cost to obtain Diesel, train him and Zorza, as well as continuing maintenance and training, is funded with drug forfeiture money.