Shelbyville Police Department receives new K9 officer through state grant

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Shelbyville Police Department recently welcomed a new four-legged officer to its ranks.

The department announced a brand new K9 officer, Jerry, and his handler, K9 Officer Dylan Bliss, joined the team thanks to a state grant from the Tennessee State Violent Crime Intervention Fund (VCIF).

According to the department, Jerry and Officer Bliss are part of the newly established Directed Patrol Division of the Shelbyville Police Department.

According to the Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs office, the VCIF grants are designed to support local law enforcement in “developing and implementing proven public safety strategies to combat violent crime,” including juvenile crime. Hiring and training of “specialized violence crime investigative units” is one of the allowable uses for the funding if awarded to a law enforcement agency.