News : Coming soon to Vinton PD: K-9 Officer Gino

Vinton Police Officer Ben Parmater will return next week with his new partner, a German Shepherd named Gino. The pair are completing their training in Indiana, and soon Gino will become the first Vinton PD K-9 Officer. Police Chief Ted Paxton showed photos of the dog to city officials during the council meeting Thursday evening. At that meeting, the council approved a lease-purchase agreement for the vehicle which the K-9 team will use on patrol. Gino is beingtrained in officer protection, suspect apprehension and drug detection. Community support The VPD began a fund-raising campaign to help cover the cost of the K-9 program, including the purchase and training of the dog, food, housing and other expenses. Area residents have donated well over $20,000.