Meet Zeke and Freddie: Badges presented to MPD's newest K-9 officers

MADISON, Wis. – The Madison Police Department is formally welcoming its two newest K-9 officers to the unit.

K-9 Zeke and K-9 Freddie were awarded their badges Thursday during a special swearing-in ceremony.

“Our dogs are really loved by our community,” said Captain Stephanie Drescher, who oversees the unit. “At every event, we’re often asked ‘Is one of the dogs coming?’”

Besides outreach, the dogs are used for narcotic detection and patrol work. They help with a variety of tasks -- such as building searches, evidence location and tracking suspects and missing people. 

Most policing K-9s in the United States come from certified kennels who import the dogs from Europe. 

K-9 Zeke is a Belgian Malinois born in Croatia who then received his training at Shallow Creek Kennels in Pennsylvania. At his kennel, he was known as a tracking machine.

Zeke is paired with Officer Mick Witt and sponsored by Duane and Wendy Reichl.

K-9 Freddie is also a Belgian Malinois. He was born in Croatia and brought over to the Tarheel Canine Training School in North Carolina. 

He is paired with Officer Ryan Kimberly and sponsored by the Berbee Walsh Foundation.

“He is a perfect partner. We’ve already made an impact on the streets. He’s kept officers safe by putting the paws before the boots,” said Officer Kimberly.

Both dogs joined the department last year and underwent a probationary field training period. 

The K-9 unit is supported by the nonprofit, Capital K9s. All donations to this organization are used to purchase working dogs, specialized squad cars, ongoing trainings and some veterinary care.

Altogether, eight dogs make up the department’s K-9 unit.

“They’re just awesome. They provide so much help to our department and become a part of our family,” Kimberly said.