Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department welcomes new K9

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department has welcomed a new K9 to its team.

Charlie is a 1-and-a-half-year-old German Shepard from Poland, specially trained in narcotics detection, tracking, apprehension, and searches. The department says Charlie will be partnered with Deputy Cody Bingaman, who was selected after an extensive process.

Sheriff Dan Abbott says the new K-9 will “play a critical role in keeping our community safe, supporting our deputies, and strengthening our emergency response capabilities.”

Charlie just completed an intensive training program at FM K9 in Berrien Center, where the department says the team demonstrated exceptional performance and received certification through the International Police Work Dog Association.

Charlie is the third K9 now serving the Van Bure