Kimber, a 2-year old black lab recently acquired by the South Whitehall Township Police Department, will help officers patrol Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom this summer.

Police Chief John Christman commented on the new addition to the force during the commissioners’ May 4 meeting.

“She’s a very big departure from the normal canine,” Christman said. “She weighs 45 to 50 pounds. She’s super.”

During the remainder of the year, Kimber will visit schools and religious places and use her abilities where needed by the police.

Christman said she is trained to detect bombs but he hopes that task will not be needed.

On high volume days at Dorney, Cirrus, the other South Whitehall police canine, will also be assisting at the site.

Commissioners approved a general service agreement for the township to provide two patrol officers for Dorney Park for a period of 13 weeks beginning May 28.

They will be used as peace officers and will be under the exclusive supervision of the South Whitehall Police Department.

Dorney Park will pay $40,000 for this service.

Christman reported last year one officer was sent to Dorney Park in a pilot program which worked well.

“He bonded very well with Dorney staff,” the chief said. “There is a high demand for service at Dorney Park.”

The officers will rotate shifts from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. for a 40-hour week.

Any overtime will be the responsibility of the police department.

The officers will be equipped with a marked patrol car and possibly a police mountain bike.

They will wear police uniforms and will be covered by the department’s workers compensation insurance.

Christman explained having officers assigned to the park enables the remainder of the force to patrol the streets without interruptions for calls at Dorney.

He said the department has manpower available during the summer as the two school resource officers are available for other assignments.

“That manpower will be used at Dorney but not the same officers,” Christman said.