Officer Evan Dinterman and K-9 Blitz conduct a demonstration during the annual Hometown Heroes Charity Ride at Bulldog Park on Aug. 25, 2024.
The Crown Point Police Department recently welcomed a new K-9 duo to the team.
In late August, Officer Evan Dinterman became the department’s newest canine handler with his partner, Blitz. The pair began training on July 29 at Canine Deployed in Lafayette, Indiana, where they graduated at the top of their class.
After K-9 Bandit and K-9 Jack retired earlier this year, Dinterman was selected to join the department’s K-9 Division.
Becoming a K-9 handler has been a long-held aspiration for Dinterman, who joined the Crown Point Police Department in April 2022. Previously, he was an officer with the South Bend Police Department.
"Blitz has done incredible things already. We have been on three searches so far for individuals. We got into two different pursuits, and he's already got an arrest under his belt for finding narcotics in a car,” Dinterman said.
When it came to naming the 2-year-old Belgian Malinois from Germany, Dinterman said the choice was easy.
“This dog is as fast as lightning, and I'm not kidding when I say that. So, I named him Blitz — the German name for lightning. He is the fastest dog I have ever seen,” Dinterman said.
K-9 Blitz is a dual-purpose canine trained in protection, apprehension, tracking and narcotic detection. Blitz is certified with the American Working Dog Association (AWDA). When he’s not on the clock, he goes home with Dinterman.
Dinterman is the 10th K-9 handler to serve with the Crown Point Police Department, and Blitz is the department’s 14th K-9.
“We’re excited to have a new K-9 duo on our team with Officer Dinterman and K-9 Blitz. The pair has already been deployed several times,” Crown Point Police Chief Ryan S. Patrick said. “Heading into 2025, we plan to expand our K-9 Division to include another handler and canine.”
Patrick added the average cost to purchase a canine, including training and equipment, is roughly $20,000 — a cost the department doesn’t have to incur due to donations.
“We are grateful for our community and supporters. Because of them, our K-9 Division is fully funded through donations,” Patrick said.
