RPD canine officer Meaux retiring

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ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — After nearly a decade with the Robertsdale Police Department K-9 police officer Meaux is officially retiring, officials announced during the Robertsdale City Council meeting on Monday, Dec. 21.

“He’s been a very good dog,” said Robertsdale Police Chief Brad Kendrick. “He’s certainly been an excellent addition to our department in terms of PR.”

While he could not say specifically how much Meaux has brought in drug seizures over the years, Kendrick said the officer had been utilized by several municipal departments, along with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and Alabama State Troopers when available.

“Each department here helps each other,” Kendrick said, “and whenever he’s available he has been called on to assist other departments.”

Meaux began with the department with partner, Officer Justin Williams, Kendrick said. When Williams switched to investigations four years ago, Meaux became partnered with Officer Joshua Sypert.

“The average service of a canine officer is seven to eight years,” Kendrick said. “While Meaux could have remained with the department for one more year, Josh is leaving the department and asked if Meaux could remain with he and his family.”

Since Meaux is considered an asset owned by the city, Kendrick requested at the Dec. 21 that to surplus Meaux for $1 in order for Sypert to retain ownership. The Robertsdale City Council voted unanimously to approve the measure.

Kendrick said right now the department does not have a need for another K-9 officer.

“The county has tracking dogs and drug dogs if we need one, so does the Foley Police Department,” Kendrick said. “It shouldn’t be a problem for us to partner with them if we ever need the services of a dog.”

In other business Dec. 21, the council voted to donate $1,000 for the Alabama High School Athletic Association and special needs rodeo which will be held in March at the Baldwin County Fairgrounds Arena in Robertsdale.

The council also voted to surplus several miscellaneous items for the city’s fire department and to purchase a Ford F-150 pickup and a John Deere 624L wheel loader for the Public Works Department.

The city has been renting the wheel loader over the last couple months for debris cleanup following Hurricane Sally, officials said.

Mayor Charles Murphy said the city could purchase the equipment and continue to use it for debris cleanup.

“If we decide later to sell it, I think we should be able to get out of it what we’re going to pay for it,” he said.