GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich., April 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- This month the Grosse Pointe Farms city council voted to establish its first-ever dedicated K9 Division under the control of the Grosse Pointe Farms Public Safety/Police Department. The first canine member of the unit, named Jazz, is expected to begin training with an assigned Grosse Pointe Farms officer on May 5, 2014.  It's anticipated Jazz will be ready to hit the streets on patrol in August. 

The Dirty Dog Jazz Café, owned by Grosse Pointe Farms resident, entrepreneur and philanthropist Gretchen Valade, will fund this new public safety and law enforcement resource.  Ms. Valade, a long-time supporter of the Grosse Pointe Farms Public Safety Department, said, "It's a great initiative, how could I not get involved?  I've been a Grosse Pointer all my life and hopefully this will make a difference."

The Grosse Pointe Farms K9 Division will offer many benefits to the community.  It will serve as a visible deterrent to crime, assist in tracking criminals, locating missing children and adults and enhancing crowd control.  The new K9 division will interact closely with the community by making public appearances at local events and the Grosse Pointe schools throughout the year.  One of the goals will be to educate the public, parents and children and schools how to apply good public safety practices.

"The Grosse Pointe Farms Public Safety Department is extremely grateful for the continued support from Gretchen Valade and everything she has done to enhance our community through her contributions.  She truly is a wonderful woman," said Daniel Jensen, Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police, for Grosse Pointe Farms Department of Public Safety.

K9 Academy Training Facility in Taylor, Michigan, owned by Terry Foley, a retired police officer with over 20 years of experience in expert training of police dogs, will be the training facility.  Jazz is a German Shepard and was specifically selected based on having a pedigree and temperament that is considered the best fit for serving the Grosse Pointe Farms community. 

Prior to "Jazz" many residents will remember "Raleigh" the German Shepard who was part of a shared K9 Division between the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods.  This past November, "Raleigh" passed-on and the funding for the shared K9 Division terminated.

About Dirty Dog Jazz Café
Gretchen Valade opened The Dirty Dog Jazz Café in 2008 at 97 Kercheval in Grosse Pointe Farms.  It reflects her love for Jazz and her passion and commitment to excellence.   The Dirty Dog, one of the premiere destinations in the United States for world class Jazz and cuisine, combines the charm of an English-style pub with intimacy and meticulous attention to detail and hospitality.      

Contact: Bill Hadden
(248) 804-9196

SOURCE Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe