There comes a time in the career of every police officer where it’s time to chase something else besides criminals.

For Blek, that time is now. He’s been on the job for eight years and it’s time to perhaps run after tennis balls instead of theft suspects or sniff for drugs during a traffic stop.

“His nose is still in excellent shape, but he is 10 years old and is starting to feel his age a little bit,” Boise Police Spokeswoman Lynn Hightower said.

Blek is perhaps the most prolific and versatile K-9 the Boise Police Department has had in recent memory, Hightower said, catching 31 suspects and helping officers locate more $400,000 worth of drugs, cash, and other stuff during his eight year career.

Blek, a German Shepard, has worked as both an apprehension dog (chasing bad guys) and drug detection dog during his career.

Boise police officials have already purchased and began training a dog to replace Blek, who was one of four K-9 dual drug detection/apprehension dogs working for the BPD. The department also has four other dogs who exclusively do drug detection.

Replacing K-9 police dogs is expensive — it costs anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000 to select and train a dog. Most of the funding to buy the new dog came from the Boise Police Canine Foundation, Hightower said.

The Boise police department’s 2011 budget for the K-9 program is $25,575. That funding includes vet care, food, and minor equipment purchase.

That budget also includes supplies for weekly training but does not include wages or vehicle costs associated with the K-9 handlers.

Police officials will hold a private retirement service for Blek Thursday afternoon at City Hall West at 333 Mark Stall Place.