LAFAYETTE– The Indiana State Police Lafayette District is proud to announce the addition of a new K-9 team to its ranks. On December 3, 2024, Trooper Chelsey Smith and her new K-9 partner, Draco, graduated from the prestigious Indiana State Police K-9 Academy in Indianapolis.
The K-9 Academy’s rigorous 12-week training program is designed to prepare teams for the unique challenges of law enforcement. Training includes obedience, tracking, area and building searches, article searches, aggression control, and narcotics detection. This demanding curriculum ensures that K-9 teams are ready to serve their communities with professionalism and skill.
Draco, a 14-month-old Belgian Malinois, will work alongside Trooper Smith to combat illegal narcotics trafficking and support crime-fighting efforts across the Lafayette District. Their partnership will play a vital role in enhancing public safety in the region.
Trooper Smith, a two-year veteran of the Indiana State Police, has primarily been assigned to patrol Montgomery County. With the addition of Draco, Trooper Smith will expand her responsibilities to include specialized K-9 operations aimed at detecting and intercepting illegal drugs, locating missing persons, and supporting other critical law enforcement activities.
The Indiana State Police K-9 Program is one of the largest and most respected in the nation, underscoring the agency’s commitment to innovation and excellence. The addition of Draco further enhances the department’s mission to protect and serve the citizens of Indiana.
Lt. McKee, Commander of the Lafayette District, stated:
“The addition of Trooper Smith and K-9 Draco to our team represents our continued dedication to tackling crime and enhancing safety across our communities. This partnership will be instrumental in supporting our mission to protect and serve the citizens of Indiana with integrity and professionalism.”
For more information on the Indiana State Police K-9 program or to learn more about how these dedicated teams serve the community, visit IndianaTrooper.com
