Heber City has welcomed a new addition to its police department: a K-9 officer named Bane. This shepherd mix recently completed a six-week K-9 certification course at the Peace Officers Standard and Training campus in Sandy, alongside his human handler, Officer Jesse Bell. Bane, estimated to be between 12 and 14 months old, is the youngest recruit in the program, joining seasoned canines in training. His primary skills include detecting narcotics like methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana. Furthermore, he is set to receive additional training to assist the Heber City SWAT team this summer. Heber City Police Chief Parker Sever noted that the presence of a police dog can help de-escalate potentially dangerous situations. Sever shared an anecdote from his previous agency, where the mere barking of a police dog caused a fleeing suspect to surrender. Bane is the first K-9 unit in the Heber City Police Department since 2012, and Chief Sever expressed interest in reviving the program since joining the department in 2023. The community significantly contributed to Bane's acquisition, with donations from local businesses including Karl Malone Auto Group and Mountainland One Stop convenience store. The total cost for Bane, sourced from a Polish breeder, was approximately $15,000. Aside from officer pay for Bell, taxpayer funds will only cover food and healthcare for Bane. Officer Jesse Bell was selected to handle Bane due to his calm demeanor. If Bell were to leave the department, Bane would undergo training with a new handler. Currently, Bane resides with Bell, who has expressed a strong bond with the dog. When Bane eventually retires, he will remain with Bell, who understands the importance of caring for retired K-9 officers. Bane is set to continue training for 16 hours each month and will be formally sworn in during a Heber City Council meeting on January 6.