PITMAN — Pitman is preparing to officially welcome the police department’s first K-9 in a “swearing-in” ceremony at the Dec. 8 borough council meeting.

The dog, Ranger, and his handler, Ptl. E.J. Parker, will be finished with Patrol School at Philadelphia Police Department K-9 Academy by then — although the pair will continue with Narcotics/Scent training, said Police Chief Robert Zimmerman.

At the council meeting, Zimmerman will present a K-9 badge to Ranger.

“We began this process in the late summer of 2013, and we are very close to the finish line.  With an ongoing effort to raise money through donations, we have been able to fully fund our new unit without impacting our taxpayers. It’s been a fun, yet a lengthy process, and we can’t wait for Ranger to hit the streets sometime around March of next year,” Zimmerman said.

The Dec. 8 council meeting will be 8 p.m. in the municipal building, 110 S. Broadway, Pitman.