South Whitehall Township’s police department recently welcomed K-9 officer Kimber, a 2-year-old black Labrador retriever to the force.

Police Chief John Christman brought his own K-9, Trip, a 4-year-old yellow Labrador retriever to meet Kimber and his handler, K-9 Police Officer Colin Beaumont May 11 for some fun and photos at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom.

Kimber, who has spent the last year-and-a-half in rigorous training programs, and the last several weeks with Beaumont, will begin his official duties Memorial Day weekend.

Beaumont told The Press being a K-9 handler is something he has wanted to do since he was young.

“The opportunity came up and the department put in for it and I was selected,” Beaumont said.

Beaumont said Stapleton Security Inc. in the Poconos chose Kimber and trained him to handle the canine.

“We play with her at home but we don’t play with toys, I put out things for her to find,” Beaumont said. “She is trained in black powder and smokeless powder. I put it out at home for her to find.”

Kimber was sponsored and fully-trained through a partnership with Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom.

According to information provided by Dorney Park, South Whitehall Township officials presented Dorney Park executives with a proposal from Stapleton Security Inc. to acquire Kimber.

“The addition of Kimber will provide a highly visible, mobile and effective detection capability for South Whitehall officers ... When South Whitehall Township presented this partnership opportunity to us, we recognized a unique opportunity to not only enhance our security within the park, but to enhance public safety within our community,” Michael Fehnel, Dorney vice president and general manager, stated in a press release. “Through a cooperative agreement with South Whitehall Township, Dorney Park will have an increased patrol presence and security protections in place to provide the highest measures of safety for its guests.

“Kimber and her handler will also be used to assist police departments throughout Lehigh County as needed.”