CANFIELD — The Canfield Police Department is asking the community for help, though it’s not to solve a case.

The department is sharing photos of a 1-year-old German Shepherd who will be joining the team later this year after he and officer Aaron Young complete training.

Young, with the encouragement of police Chief Chuck Colucci and assistance of Sgt. Josh Wells, is filtering names for the new pup.

“I was having a difficult time coming up with a name,” Young said, chuckling.

He turned to Wells, who suggested having fun and involving the community in the naming process.

“I went over it with him several times to make sure he’s OK with it,” Wells said.

“We try to be a community-oriented police department, and I can’t think of a much better way than to let them pick the canine’s name,” Young said.

“We just kind of looked at it as another way to connecting with the community,” Wells added.

Suggestions will be accepted by the department through social media.

Young and his wife, Jennifer, will narrow the name choices, then pick a final name at noon on Tuesday.

Young said that although Thor has been an extremely popular suggestion, that name, along with the names of other local police dogs or past names of the Canfield department’s dogs, will not be used.

All three men said that throughout the process, they have been impressed to see how many people have looked up names with Slovak roots, as the dog was born in Slovakia.

PARTNERS

The unnamed officer will join current police dog Rocky, a 5-year-old German Shepherd.

“He’s not taking the place of Rocky, and Rocky is not retiring,” said Young.

An officer with Canfield, Young also has assignments through the Drug Enforcement Administration, which is how the new dog will be funded.

Rocky is on patrol daily in the city with officer Chad DeBarr. He’s a dual-purpose dog, sniffing out drugs and also trained in apprehension, Colucci said.

On Wednesday, Young met his new dog, and spent the day bonding with him at Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, Pa.

“He was phenomenal,” he said of his new work partner.

Immediately, Young said he noticed that the dog is “super social, super friendly.”

The new dog will be trained to alert to marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin, but not apprehension.

Young also said the dog will be socialized, which Wells noted is a great thing because often, canine teams are the most popular and beloved of police departments.

When the opportunity presented itself, Young jumped at the chance.

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do since the beginning of my career,” he said.

Wife Jennifer is also “super excited” to welcome the new dog, which will join two other dogs at home, Young said.

Young and the new dog will begin training Sept. 26.

Asset-sharing funds through the DEA will pay for the dog, training and upgrades to Young’s Canfield police vehicle.

Colucci said that the total for the dog is about $20,000, at no cost to the city or taxpayers.

He also explained that the new dog will not only benefit Canfield city, but the county as well.

“I’ll be available to anybody whenever they need it,” Young noted.

Young will be joining a network of local police dog teams, Wells said, a unique group that works well together.

Colucci said donations for the Canfield K9 Fund can be made by contacting him at the department, or clerk’s division.