December 8, 2022 JOLIET – A new member of the Joliet Police Department is officially out on the streets – K-9 “Reno,” a 2-year-old Malinois-German Shepherd purchased by Will County State’s Attorney James W. Glasgow using money forfeited from drug dealers and money launderers. Reno is the 13th police K-9 Glasgow has provided to law enforcement agencies throughout Will County.

Glasgow purchased Reno, his training, and the canine transport equipment installed in the police vehicle using drug asset money seized from dealers and traffickers selling illegal narcotics in Will County. No taxpayer dollars were used.

“Police K-9s like Reno play a critical role in helping law enforcement take dangerous drug dealers off our streets and removing deadly drugs like fentanyl from our communities,” Glasgow said. “I also like to call these special K-9s ‘Ambassadors of Goodwill’ between police departments and the communities they serve. They help our officers and schools teach children about the dangers of drugs, as well as assist our schools in monitoring for the presence of drugs and providing an opportunity for student intervention and counseling. We must do everything in our power to help prevent the scourge of drug use and take those who sell and distribute them off the streets.”

A “dual-purpose” patrol K-9, Reno will also be trained in tracking, article and evidence search, building search and suspect area search in addition to his work in narcotics detention. Reno completed his basic training November 4.

“K-9 Reno is a great addition to our team of law enforcement canines that work in our community,” said Joliet Police Chief William Evans. “Including Reno, the Joliet Police Department’s K-9 Unit currently has five police dogs. Many people don’t know that our K-9 Unit has been around for more than four decades, since 1980. We are happy to say that Reno already has been working with his handler, Officer James Lukaszek, to meet our residents and help protect the people of Joliet.”

In addition to Reno, State’s Attorney Glasgow has provided “Rookie” in Shorewood, “Hutch” in Channahon, “Roxie” in Rockdale, and “Mao” in Wilmington; “Simo” in Crest Hill, “Tib” (short for Tiburian) in Elwood; “Tucker” in Park Forest, “Cap” in Monee, “Helmut” in Tinley Park, “Nuke” in Braidwood, and “Apollo” in Manhattan. Glasgow provided the training and K-9 transport equipment for each of these K-9s as well. Additionally, Glasgow partnered with the Will County Sheriff by contributing half the cost for “Loki,” a German Shepherd trained in detecting explosives who joined the Will County Sheriff’s Department to provide critically important technical security at the new Will County courthouse.

K-9 Reno is now a member of the “K-9s for Cops” program through Glasgow’s League of Extraordinary Canines & Friends, an initiative Glasgow established to bring together the law enforcement community, animal control agencies, veterinarians, humane societies, rescue groups, and all who care about the humane treatment of animals to work together in addressing animal cruelty and neglect.