MT. VERNON, IL — The City of Mt. Vernon will start seeing a new K9 unit patrolling the streets. Officer Shylah Kunick and her canine partner Bane graduated Friday morning from a 10-week training course at the Illinois State Police Training Academy.

ISP Director Brendan Kelly spoke at the Friday morning graduation ceremony, speaking of trying times for law enforcement across the country and encouraging them to not give up. Kelly praised the officers for their dedication and hard work during their 10-week training and urged them to keep going.