By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



The City of Morris wants its K-9 team riding in style. Or at least riding in something safe and dependable.

That is why Police Chief Brian Cochran asked for approval Thursday to apply for a grant for a new K-9 unit vehicle. The city council voted yes.

Cochran wants to purchase a four-door Ford F150 for his department.

“Throughout the state, we’ve noticed that other departments are going to four-door trucks for their K-9 units,” said Cochran. “It’s just a little more practical for the officer for all of the gear he has to carry.”

The truck that Cochran wants to order costs $22,900, plus another $8,000 to equip it.

Cochran will apply for a $22,500 ADECA grant, leaving the city responsible for the rest.

“We would only be paying $8-9,000 for a nearly $23,000 truck,” he said at Thursday’s council meeting.

However, Cochran is also going to apply for additional federal funds to cover the remainder of the money.

“It might not cost the city a penny,” he said.

Cochran is well-versed in writing grants for police vehicles.

He has found success in that arena in Morris, where he has written a grant to purchase a new Dodge Charger for the department, as well as grants for other equipment.

Detective Mike Nazarchyk is the Morris Police Department’s K-9 officer. He is the handler for Franco, a 125-pound Belgian Malinois that the department purchased in May from the Falkville Police Department.

Nazarchyk is currently using a mid-1990s model Ford Expedition as the K-9 unit.

“It’s just wore out,” said Cochran.

Besides allowing Cochran to apply for the grant, the council:

• set the holiday schedule for city employees, which is the same as last year’s schedule

• heard Mayor Craig Drummonds read a thank-you letter to the police department from a Morris family

• learned that the Highlands Homeowners Association donated $250 to the Morris Police Department and to the Morris Fire Department

• heard a request from Cindy Berry to have a street light placed at the entrance to Overbrook Subdivision

The city council’s next regular meeting will be on Jan. 27, 6 p.m., at city hall.