The Pella Police Department is preparing for a new member of the team this spring.

Captain Paul Haase says following a successful fundraising campaign that exceeded expectations, a new K-9 unit is joining the force sometime in April.

Haase says the female Yellow Labrador Retriever is named Ellie, after staff and administration received submissions through School Resource Officer J.R. Pearson, and they landed on the final name with deliberation and sorting through the ideas of local students.

Ellie will work with Officer Hunter Boertje, who will be the K-9 handler and begins training in March at Tree Town Kennels in Forest City. Her purpose will be twofold — tracking and narcotics assistance on the law enforcement side, and as an educational resource for all residents.

Hear more about the new K-9 unit from the Pella Police Department on today’s Let’s Talk Pella.