Tuesday, March 11, 2025–8:20 a.m.
-Staff reports-
The community was introduced to Rome’s newest police K9 during Monday’s Rome City Commission meeting.
According to Sgt. Josh Glover, the Rome Police Department’s K9 manager, Cas is a year-and-a-half-old Belgian Malinois who comes to Rome from Shallow Creek Kennels in Pennsylvania.
“We went up and tested several dogs until we found one that I was comfortable with and was a good dog,” he said. “Ultimately, it comes down to Pfc. Banks—what he really likes and what he thinks he is going to be able to work with forever.”
Cas went through nine weeks of training in Pennsylvania and has done another month-and-a a half of training with Sgt. Glover.
“He is ready to go—ready to work,” Sgt. Glover said. “We still have a few things we are working on, but I am confident in these guys. They have been doing well so far. K9 Cas is a dual-purpose dog, which means he not only finds narcotics but is also an apprehension dog. He can track, help locate either missing persons or suspects, and he can find evidence for us.”
Cas’ handler is Pfc. Anthony Banks, who joined the Rome Police Department in 2016. He has been a school resource officer and a member of the SWAT team.
