pdf - United States Police Canine Association

Transcription

pdf - United States Police Canine Association
Canine
Courier
the united states police
canine association, inc.
march 2016
vol. 28, no.3
2016 National Dector Trials • Philadelphia • June 5-8
CONTENTS
IBE
SUBSCR !
TODAY
Editor
Robert (Doc) Dougherty, Flourtown, PA
2015-2016 National Officers
President: Jason Brodt, St. Paul, MN
Secretary: Melinda Ruopp, Marshaltown, IA
Treasurer: James Matarese, Falmouth, VA
Trustees
Brady Harrison, Woodbury, MN
John Freeman, Bryans Road, MD
Harry Barraclough, Cantonment, FL
Alternate - Ron Bowling, Lakeland, FL
Vice Presidents
Northeast – Carlos Rolon, Alexandria, VA
Southeast – Brandon Gilmore, Waynesville, NC
Southwest – Noel Salamoni, Greenwell
Springs, LA
Central – Ryan Machin, Springfiled, IL
West – Tom Healy, Colorado Springs, CO
Northwest – Joshua Stenseth, Star Prairie, WI
USPCA Executive Director
Dr. David “Lou” Ferland
Assistant Professor Mount
Washington College
3 Sundial Avenue
Manchester, NY 03103
Published Quarterly
by the U.S.P.C.A., Inc.
Business & Editorial Offices
Robert Dougherty Jr.
410 Norfolk Rd.
Flourtown, PA 19031
Phone: 610.316.3942
Fax: 215.948.3594
Email: [email protected]
This publication assumes no tresponsibility for
statements made by contributors.
Website: www.uspcak9.com
Canine
Courier
Columns
5
5
6
6
7
7
10
54
Letters to/from the Editor
Director’s Report
National Secretary
Treasurer’s Report
President’s Message
Calendar of Events
Region Reports
End of Watch
Features
8
9
23
29
32
53
USPCA Lifeline - Russ Hess
USPCA Lifetime Achievement Award
National Explosives Task Force
Purina Tips
National Dector Trials
Canine Legal Update & Opinion 30-day free trial
Trainer’s Corner
40 Demystifying Trailing
48 Choosing The Right Dog
On the cover:
K9 Hawk of the New Jersey State Police
Patrol & Explosives K9. Partner is Sgt.
Roger J. Market NJSP. Region 15.
Do you have a cover
photo?? Please submit high resolution
(300 dpi) photos for cover consideration to
Canine Courier: [email protected]
THE UNITED STATES POLICE CANINE ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED
NUTRITION
THAT
PROUDLY
SERVES.
K-9 handlers stand by our dry foods because
these bioavailable formulas start with
real meat, poultry or fish as the #1 ingredient,
deliver optimal nutrient absorption, and an
optimal protein-to-fat ratio to help dogs
maintain their ideal body condition and energy
while serving the community.
Simply put, it’s outstanding nutrition to
complement your K-9’s genetics and training.
Our more than 30 dry formulas are
proudly manufactured at
Purina-owned U.S. plants and sold
exclusively in pet specialty stores.
purinaproclub.com/proplan
— Purina® proudly supports the North American Police Work Dog Association & the United States Police Canine Association. —
Purina trademarks are owned by Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. Printed in the USA.
2 | Canine Courier
June 2016
What if there were a way
to check on your Partner
from your cell phone?
ad
to le
t
s
r
i
f
ay
the w
NOW
There Is!
The
AceWatchDog
System
Saving K9’s One Byte at A Time
Call or Visit our Website
AceK9.com
Follow Us On
772-600-7574 Fax 772-600-7012
Scan Code
4 | Canine Courier
June 2016
To The Membership
This Courier issue comes out while here in Region 6 are preparing to host
the 2016 National Detector Trials in Philadelphia. Jim Matarese was to
have been the Chief Judge this year but as you all know Jim suffered a
serious medical setback at the National Training Seminar and is still recovering. Thanks to R.O. Rodgers for filling that position in his place. Jim was
one of the first friendly handshakes I received as a first time handler while
attending a three day training seminar in Region 3 in the early 1990’s.
Jimmy asked a bunch of us out of town cops if we wanted to tour the
city monuments at night. No less than 10 of us loaded into a U.S. Park
Police van and were given the most unconventional tour of D.C and that
experience will stay with me forever. For over 30 years Jim has been, and
will continue to be, a friend of Region 6.
Get well Jim, you’re missed.
Bob Dougherty - Editor
Director’s Report
Hello Gang,
Summer approaches and along with
that comes the extreme heat that
kills our dogs. My first comment is
to protect your partner, get a heat
alarm for the cruiser, and make
sure it works each and every day.
You check your lights, siren, radio
each day before shift and I would
recommend that you add your heat
alarm to that checklist as well.
This brings to mind what to do if
your dog does get overheated. So,
my second comment is for ALL K9
Handlers to get to an Emergency
K9 First Aid class. This class does
have to be a Police sponsored class,
but a reputable organization will do
just fine. It is important to learn how
to prevent heat stroke, the early
warning signs of heat stroke, and
how to treat this emergency. You will
also learn at these classes, other life
Executive Director Dr. David “Lou” Ferland
saving actions, such as blood loss
control, the effects of stress upon a
K9, and treatment of broken bones
to name a few. Couple this training
with a reputable K9 Nutritionist
lecture and you would have yourself
one heck of a training seminar.
If you would like help to put
together a regional training
seminar for K9 First Aid and
Nutrition, let me know. I will help
you put this together.
The National Detector Dog Trials
in Philadelphia are about to begin.
These National Trials are spread out
throughout the various regions each
year to allow teams from all over
the USA to participate in a National
Event AND close-by to where they
live. It also serves as a tremendous
boost to the local teams to host a
national event and the positive public
relations that goes with it. If you have
never attended one of these events,
I strongly urge you to at least stop
by and see what they are all about.
They are impressive.
The USPCAK9 Web Page has a
listing of ALL Trials and Regional
Trainings that you have sent along
to me. PLEASE, Please, PLEASE,
get me your events so that I can
post it. There are MANY teams that
travel to different regions to attend
certifications, trainings and to learn
how others are doing things. For
example, at a recent EOD training
seminar in Boston, there was a
team
from
continued on page 7
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 5
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Fellow Members,
I hope everyone has prepared
themselves for the upcoming summer and the volume of dog work
that comes with that. Make sure
that both you and your partner are
prepared for what lies ahead.
As you read this we will be getting ready to attend the National Detector Trial in Philadelphia. I
know Region 6 has done a lot of
preparation for this event and I am
sure that it will be a great one.
Please continue to keep our
Treasurer Jim Matarese in your
thoughts and prayers as he makes
his recovery from his long road of
adversity. Jim went into the hospital when we were in Anniston, AL
at the National Training Seminar
and has been laid up ever since.
Stay strong Jimmy!!!
We have continued to push the
Association forward in a progressive manner. You should have all
noticed the new web site we have
implemented. Take a look around
and let us know your thoughts.
You should have also seen an
electronic newsletter come via
your email. Stay tuned for more
new things to come.
We will be looking for potential
hosts for an upcoming training
seminar, if this is of interest to you
please contact me. I will continue
to push more training out to you
folks throughout the year.
Stay Safe,
Jason Brodt
National President
United States Police Canine Association
NATIONAL SECRETARY REPORT
Hello all!
members, so try to make the effort
to confirm that for me. And finally,
it is the individual judges’ responsibility to keep track of the number
of dogs that you judge at a trial. Be
sure to write that information down.
Applications to become a judge or
a trainer must be into the respective chairpersons 60 days prior to
the next national meeting.
We are about into summer and its
starting to get busier. That means
we need to make sure we keep our
dogs skilled and ready to do their
best work! Stay safe out there and
watch your backs!
Membership as of May 8th
stands at 1988.That means there
are a lot of you out there that have
not gotten your 2016 dues paid
yet. Remember that you should not
be allowed to participate in any USPCA sanctioned event without paying 2016 dues first. Any questions
on your membership, please let me
know.
Just a few other reminders: Chief
Judges: always make sure your
scorekeepers are using 2016 versions of the scoring programs.
Secretary Melinda Ruopp
Questions or concerns with the
scoring programs should be directed to me. It’s also in the rules
that participants should be current
I want to extend my warmest
GET WELL wishes to Jim Matarese! I cannot tell you how relieved
we are to see him getting back into
the swing of things. To him and
Margaret, stay strong and hope to
see you at a trial again soon!
If you need supplies or any other
information, please let me know.
Take care!
6 | Canine Courier
June 2016
Director’s Report cont…
Georgia there to learn
and exchange training
ideas. Clearly this
benefits ALL involved
in that seminar. The
stakes are high for
you, people depend
upon you, and so it is
important to learn and
help so that you can
do your best. The web
page is a good central
place for us all to find
out where training and
certifications are held.
Hopefully, by now,
you have received our
NEW E-Newsletter. I
send these out about
once every two weeks
or when there is some
timely
information
needing to get to you.
It is part of our web site
improvement project
and designed to help
communicate with all
our members. If you
have not received
one yet, please let me
know. If you don’t want
to receive these, simply
‘unsubscribe’ located
at the bottom of the
newsletter. If you have
an idea or information
that you want to get
out, send it my way.
NATIONAL
TREASURER
Get well, Jim!
Keep in touch and
Stay Safe,
LOU
Dr. David “Lou” Ferland,
Chief of Police (Ret.)
Assistant Professor Mount
Washington College
2016 USPCA Calendar of Events
What:
Where:
When:
Contact:
2016 USPCA National Detector Trials
Philadelphia, PA
June 5 – 8
Larry Love (267) 334-6285 or [email protected]
Bob Dougherty ( 610) 316-3942
or [email protected]
What:
Where:
When:
Contact:
Region 4 PD1 Trials
Manchester, NH
June 10-12
Manchester PD
Preregistration Required via email by May 10. Separate email will be sent with the registration form.
Competitor number assigned as received.
Host hotel is La Quinta Hotel, 21 Front St.
Manchester, NH 603-669-5400. $95/night.
What: Region 5 PD1, PD2, & Detector Trials
Where: Lexington, KY
When: July 10-14
Contact: University of Kentucky Police Dept.
USPCA Certification and Training Seminar
David Duncan (859) 421-2307
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/USPCA.Region5.2016Regionals
Register before May 6 to save 20%
{
Host Hotel is Clarion Hotel, 1950 Newtown Pike,
Lexington, KY. $115/night for a double.
What: Region 6 PD1 Trials
Where: Chester Co, PA
When: August 26th , 27th, 28th
(August 26th competitors/judges meeting)
Contact: Larry Love (267) 334-6285
or [email protected]
Sherriff Paul Bryant (267) 939-5444 for hotel info.
Host Hotel is Mariott Coatsville, PA, 600 Manor Rd,
Coatsville, PA 19320. $99/night (request Region 6 rate
What:
Where:
When:
Contact:
USPCA National PD1 Trials
Gloucester Township, NJ
September 25th – 30th
Gloucester Township Police
Chris Gerace (609) 685-2771
or [email protected]
Mail signed registration form to PTL. C. Gerace, PO
Box 72, Glendora, NJ 08029
Host Hotel is La Quinta Inn & Suites Runnemeade,
109 E. 9th Ave., Runnemeade, NJ (856)312-8521.
$99/night + tax. Mention GTPD Convention for
special rate.
Please keep the membership informed of events and boost your turnout by emailing
[email protected] subject line EVENT. Deadline for September 2016 Courier is August 1.
{
The Courier is always looking for good photos for consideration for publication and for the cover. The Courier is also
interested in training articles or other information written by our members which benefit the Association.
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 7
CENTRAL VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
United States Police Canine
Association
Central Region
Region 5, 16, 19 and 24
Region 5 is conducting their
certifications in Louisville Kentucky in July. No further issue or
concerns
Region 16 is conducting their
PD I certification in O’Fallon Mo
June 17-19. President Gary Craig
reports K9 team membership is
up this year. Current member retirements, Officer Ron Howard,
Springfield IL Police K9 Unit Handler/Trainer, May 20, 2016 following 26.5 years of service. Following 29 years of service, Lieutenant
Brent Clapp, Casey IL Police K9
Unit, May 31, 2016. Good luck to
Ron and Brent and thank you for
your service.
Region 19 – No report
Region 24 – President Sergeant
Willie “Sarge” McLaughlin has announced his retirement effective
September 2016. Thank you for
your service Sarge.
Sincerely,
Officer Ryan W. Machin
Springfield IL Police K9 Unit
USPCA Region 16 Secretary
USPCA Central Vice President
8 | Canine Courier
June 2016
2016 National
Patrol Dog Trials
HOST: Gloucester Township Police NJ
September 25th-30th,2016
Attention Region Presidents:
As you may know by now, we are not charging a registration fee or banquet fee!
What we are asking, is for a donation of $250.00 from each region. We will be
making 3’ x 8’ vinyl banners to hang on the fields during the events and public
demo.
We will print the banners with whatever artwork you would like on it. You can
wish luck to your region teams, patches from your regions or any positive message you would like. The banner can
be returned to you after the event.
Please mail check to: C. Gerace PO Box 72 Glendora NJ 08029
Email PDF design to: [email protected]
Schedule of Events
Wednesday 9/21- Friday 9/23-
Monday 9/26
Thursday 9/29
•0700-2000 Hrs- All fields open for
practice from Saturday 9/24•0700-2000 Hrs- All fields open for
practice
•2000 Hrs-? Welcome BBQ
(Food by Texas Roadhouse)
•Entertainment- To Be Set
•0800 Hrs- until finished Group A –
Agility and Obedience
•0800 Hrs- until finished Group BArticles and Box Search
•1800 Hrs Hospitality Buffet at hotel
hosted by Lamp Post Diner
•Guest Speakers from the University
of Penn Dentistry
•0800 Hrs- until finished Group B –
Criminal Apprehension
•1600 Hrs-Early Dinner- Mission
BBQ@ Hotel
•1830 - 2000 Hrs- Public Demo and
Fireworks display
•2000 Hrs- BBQ at the school hosted
by Gloucester Twp Mayor
Dave Mayer
Sunday 9/25•0700-1600 Hrs- All fields open for
practice
•0900-1300 Hrs- National Executive
Board Meeting
•1300-1500 Hrs- Judges Meeting
•1500-1700 Hrs- General Membership/Competitors Meeting
•1700 Hrs- Hospitality Buffet at hotel
hosted by Valari’s Lakeside
•Entertainment to be set
Tuesday 9/27
•0800 Hrs- until finished Group A –
Articles and Box Search
•0800 Hrs- until finished Group BAgility and Obedience
•1800 Hrs- Hospitality Buffet at hotel
hosted by Tilted Kilt- with Kilt Girls!
Wednesday 9/28
•0800 Hrs- until finished Group A –
Criminal Apprehension
•1800 Hrs- Hospitality Buffet “Taste of
Philly!” at hotel hosted by Not Just Pizza
Friday 9/30
•1300-1500 Hrs- Awards Luncheon
at The Palace Caterers
Times are subject to change for
hospitality nights and awards luncheon
based on start/finish times of events.
Start times will be scheduled by Chief
Judge on Sunday 9/25.
June 2016
Please follow us on
Facebook: 2016 K9
www.uspcak9.com | 9
2016 National
Patrol Dog Trials
AWARDS BUFFET LUNCHEON
Friday • September 30 • 1:00pm • Gloucester Twp. will host an Awards Luncheon
NAME:_____________________________________
PHONE:____________________________________
Email: _____________________________________
#Adults: _____
#Children:______
REGISTRATION DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 15TH
LOCATION: The Palace Catering • 109 N Black Horse Pike,
Blackwood, NJ 08012
COST: FREE
CONTACT PERSON: Ptl. Chris Gerace: 609-685-2771 or
[email protected]
Mail signed registration form to: Ptl. C. Gerace PO Box
72 Glendora NJ 08029
REGISTRATION FORM
NAME:________________________________________PHONE:_____________________________
(As you would like it to appear on your certification)
EMAIL:______________________________________ CANINE NAME:_______________________________
DEPARTMENT/AGENCY:___________________________________________________________
REGISTRATION FEE: $0.00 HOTEL:
DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION- SEPTEMBER 15th
La Quinta Inn & Suites Runnemede 109 East 9th Ave. Runnemede, NJ 08078 856-312-8521
COST: $99 a night + TAX
Free Breakfast-Waffles, Hot and Cold cereal
Bread & Muffins, Fresh fruit, Pastries, Bagels
All-you-can-drink coffee, juice and Milk
Mention: “GTPD Convention” to receive special rate
Contact Person: PTL. CHRIS GERACE: 609-685-2771 or [email protected]
Mail signed registration form to: Ptl. C. Gerace PO Box 72 Glendora NJ 08029
Waiver of Liability:
I hereby waive and relinquish the United States Police Canine Association, Inc., United States Police Canine Association, Inc., Region
15, Gloucester Township Police, NJ, event organizers, and associates of this event from any physical and/or mental injury to myself or
my canine. I also agree to abide by the rules established by the USPCA while attending this event. I certify that my canine is up to date
on all shots and vaccinations. Furthermore, I accept full responsibility for any damage caused by either my canine or myself to any
other person or property while attending this event.
Participants Signature:__________________________________________________________Date:________________
To participate in a National Field Trial, you have to have participated in a regional PDI since the last National Field Trial (September
25th 2015) and you have to have achieved a score of 560 or greater. This will be confirmed by the National Office.
Date of last certification: ___________ For updates: Follow us on
Facebook 2016K9
10 | Canine Courier June 2016
Region 1
Patrol Case of the Quarter
Officer Lee Coel & K-9 Spirit
Punta Gorda, FL Police Department
On March 20, 2016 at 0217 K-9 officer Lee
Coel and Spirit were requested to assist the
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office in trying to
locate a male that had stabbed a victim in the
neck. The victim could not advise a direction
of travel but had last seen the suspect on the
back porch of his residence.
Officer Coel brought Spirit to the rear of the
residence and located a large amount of blood
near the stairs going onto the porch. K-9 Spirit
located a track and began to navigate through
several backyards moving south. K9 Spirit located a male in jeans; after checking with the
victim it was learned this was not the suspect.
K9 again picked up the track and continued to
track south down the center of the roadway. K9
Spirit turned from the roadway into a carport
and into the backyard of a residence coming
out onto a dirt road. Spirit continued to track
through the woods and crossed through an
opening in the thick tree line and came out onto
the railroad tracks beside SR45.
After tracking over one mile and seeing his
K9 was becoming fatigued Officer Coel discontinued the track to allow Spirit to take a break.
During this time the Sheriff’s Office was pinging the suspect’s phone and the location kept
coming back to the railroad tracks where K9
Region 2
Region 2 – Patrol
Officer Justin R. Vause & K9 Major
Clayton Police Department, NC
On the afternoon of 03/19/2016, Officer T. G.
Johnson and I were dispatched to the area of
10197 US 70 Bus Hwy (Wendy`s) in reference to
a possible stolen vehicle being at this location.
Communications advised that the vehicle was a
burgundy or dark red in color 2015 Dodge Ram
Crew Cab pick-up truck with a cover over the
bed of the truck. Communications advised that
this vehicle was stolen from a series of vehicle
Break in’s in the Town of Smithfield.
I was in my marked Clayton Police Department K9 patrol vehicle #55, I began traveling
west on US 70 Bus Hwy. I did not see the vehi-
FLORIDA
Spirit had discontinued the track. Members of
the Sheriff’s Office started walking down the
tracks and Officer Coel continue to BOLO the
area. As the foot search began Officer Coel observed the suspect whom he recognized from a
photo exit the railroad tracks and walk through
the tall grass directly behind the area where K9
Spirit had ended his track.
K9 Officer Coel made contact with the suspect
and placed him under arrest without incident. By
trusting his K9 partner and going back to the last
location that his K9 had shown interest Officer
Coel was able to apprehend a dangerous felony
suspect. This shows what a K9 team can accomplish when you trust your dog.
Detector Case of the 1st Quarter
Deputy Sheriff Kristin Pond & K-9
Kayne
Walton County Sheriff’s Office K-9
Interdiction Unit, Florida
On March 8, 2016, Deputy Sheriff Kristin
Pond and K-9 Kayne responded to Darby Road
and Coy Burgess Loop as per Deputy Sheriff
Phillip Kent requesting assistance on a traffic stop. Upon arrival contact was made with
Deputy Sheriff Kent who was in the process of
writing a traffic citation for unlawful speed and
requested Deputy Sheriff Pond’s assistance
with her K-9.
Deputy Sheriff Kristin Pond observed several
criminal indicators that led her to deploy her
assigned canine, K-9 Kayne (a certified narcotics detection canine) and conducted a free
air sniff of the vehicle. K-9 Kayne did show a
positive response/alert, thus indicating the
presence of an illegal drug odor.
A search of the vehicle revealed approximately
1.2 grams of marijuana that was folded in a piece
of notebook paper under the driver’s floor mat.
A silver pill container on the suspect’s keyring
contained 5 tablets identified as OxyContin. The
individual did not possess a prescription for the
OxyContin. The suspect had $2,300.00 of U.S.
currency inside his wallet. A black safe was located in the rear passenger floorboard containing
$100.00 in 2 dollar bills.
Deputy Sheriff Kent placed the suspect under
arrest and began to conduct a search of his
person. When the suspect kicked off his left
boot there were several plastic baggies inside
containing approximately 40 grams of “ICE”
methamphetamine. The suspect was transported to the jail, and a detention deputy located another 14 grams of “ICE” methamphetamine and approximately 2 grams of marijuana
along with rolling papers.
A total of 54 grams of “ICE” methamphetamine, 3.2 grams of marijuana, 5 tablets of
OxyContin and $2,400.00 cash were seized.
Therefore, please consider this submission as
a nomination for the USPCA Region 1 Detector
Case of the Quarter, 1st Quarter 2016.
NORTH CAROLINA/SOUTH CAROLINA
cle when I was traveling west. I then decided to
head east bound on US 70 Bus Hwy, in case I
was ahead of the vehicle.
I came to the area of US 70 Bus Hwy and
S Robertson St. I noticed a burgundy in color newer model Dodge Ram truck, with a bed
cover on it traveling west on US 70 Bus Hwy. I
noticed the vehicle was occupied by two black
males. I then advised Officer Johnson (who
was still driving westbound) that he had a vehicle matching the description heading toward
him, and I was trying to get turned around, but
couldn`t due to traffic.
I later heard Officer Johnson advise that he
was able to locate the vehicle as it was attempting to turn around and head back eastbound on US 70 Hwy. Officer Johnson called
communications and confirmed the license
plate, and communications then confirmed the
license plate, and confirmed it was showing
stolen from Smithfield NC. I then heard Officer
Johnson advise that he was attempting to stop
the vehicle, and they were turning onto Fernwood Dr from US 70 Bus Hwy.
The vehicle still failed to stop. The vehicle
then began to slow to approximately 30 mph,
and the driver and passenger began trying to
jump from the vehicle. The passenger tucked
and rolled in the middle of the street, stood up,
and began running towards houses. The driver
stayed on the ground where he was. The vehicle still continued to roll on the street, and finally came to a stop after crashing into a mailbox
and a fence.
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 11
Region 2
I arrived on scene, and noticed Officer Johnson had one at gunpoint. Officer Johnson and
I began taking the driver into custody. At this
time other units were arriving with us, and the
subject was turned over to Lt. Earp. I then immediately went to my patrol vehicle, and harnessed K9 Major
up for a track.
NORTH CAROLINA/SOUTH CAROLINA
to track, and came to a creek bed. K9 Major
began trying to figure out how to get to the other side. I noticed a foot print in the mud, just
prior to the creek bed. K9 Major went across
the creek, and was still tracking in a southwest
direction through the woods.
K9 Major came to an area that
had a lot of logs laying on the
K9 Major was trying to figure
It should be noted that K9 MaI arrived on
out how to get to the other
jor is a trained and certified by
scene,
and
side. K9 Major then tracked to
the United States Police Canine
the south, and began going up
Association as a dual purpose
noticed Officer
the side of an embankment. I
patrol dog. K9 Major is also
noticed when we got to the top
Johnson
had
one
trained and certified in the deof the embankment we were
tection of illegal narcotics by
at gunpoint.
in the Farmington Subdivision
the United States Police Canine
on Ridge Dr. There was a very
Association. The weather was
large pond where we were
cloudy, and mist rain every now
at. K9 Major still continued to
and then. I asked Officer Johntrack,
and
came
to a an area where the pond
son where was the last known location of the
drainage
pipe
was.
K9 Major began whining,
suspect and what was the description. Officer
and
trying
to
figure
out how to get down the
Johnson advised that the Suspect was a black
embankment.
Officer
Johnson swung out to
male, wearing a yellow shirt, tan pants, red
my
left
and
looked
down
the embankment.
underwear, and tennis shoes, and he was last
Officer
Johnson
then
began
yelling loud verbal
seen running beside the house at the corner of
commands,
“Clayton
Police
Let me see your
Fernwood Dr and Mulberry Dr. Officer Johnson
hands.!”
K9
Major
was
barking.
I looked and
came with me as a cover officer. I placed K9
noticed
a
black
male,
yellow
shirt,
tan pants in
Major on the ground, and gave him the comthe
drainage
pipe.
I
then
began
yelling,
“Claymand to track.
ton Police K9 let me see your hands or you will
K9 Major tracked southwest across the front be bit.” I advised Communications via radio we
yard of the residence, for about 10 yards, and had contact with the suspect.
came to the side of the residence. K9 Major
The suspect was instructed to crawl up the
came to an area and I noticed US Currency on
ditch
bank, and get on the ground. I advised the
the ground. K9 Major picked up one of the bills,
suspect
to crawl to the ditch bank, and put his
and then spit it back out. K9 Major continued to
hands
behind
his back. Officer Johnson was
track south to the back yard of the residence.
able
to
take
the
subject into custody without
K9 Major was pulling hard, so hard that his
further
incident.
lower half of his body was almost dragging
on the ground. K9 Major continued to track
Total track was over 400 yards, with a sucsouth to the back yard of another residence. cessful apprehension without a bite. K9 Major,
K9 Major still sniffing the ground, came to a Officer Johnson, and I escorted the subject
concrete patio where there was a firepit that from the wood line to where the other units
still had a fire going in it. K9 Major still contin- were without further incident.
ued to track across the patio, to the woodline
It should be noted that this solved over 18
that connected with this property. As we were vehicle break-ins, in which helped get several
about to enter the woods, a female came out of victims back their stolen property (located in
the residence, and stated, “He ran in there and vehicle) and someone their vehicle back.
went to the right, he`s got on a yellow shirt.”
We advised the female to get back into the res- Region 2 – Detector
idence. K9 Major still continued to track in a Cpl. Brian Griswold & K9 Maya
south direction. K9 Major entered the woods, Aiken Public Safety Department, SC
and 20 yards past the wood line, K9 Major beOn 03-18-2016 0655 PSO Miles was on rougan to track began going slightly to the right in
tine
patrol and witnessed a Chevy truck leaving
a southwest direction. K9 Major still continued
the Knights Inn, 1850 Richland Ave. PSO Miles
ran the tag through his Mobile Data Terminal
and found the vehicle to be registered to a
Craven subject out of Beech Island. PSO Miles
knew the Craven family and knew that it was
odd for that vehicle to be leaving that motel.
PSO Miles turned around in the parking lot of
the motel and attempted to locate the vehicle.
He found the vehicle parked in the parking
lot of the convince store at the intersection of
University and Richland Ave. PSO Miles turned
around and the vehicle was pulling out of the
store parking lot so, he got behind it.
The truck turned left onto Richland Ave heading east. PSO Miles verified the tag through his
Mobile Data Terminal as the same vehicle he
witnessed leaving the Knights Inn. The truck
continued traveling east at a speed of 30 mph
in a 45 mph zone. The vehicle slowed to make
a left hand turn back into the knights Inn all
the way from the far right lane and he noticed
the truck only had one working brake light. PSO
Miles stopped the vehicle in front of the Knights
Inn near Cedar Rd.
While speaking with the driver PSO Miles
identified him as the son of the registered
owner. PSO Miles was aware of some pervious drug use in his past. PSO Miles asked the
driver why he was in this area and leaving the
motel. He stated that he was heading to work
as a landscaper and had stopped to pick up the
2 passengers to take them to the store. PSO
Miles asked if there was anything illegal in the
vehicle that he may need to know about, the
driver stated that there was nothing in the vehicle illegal but the vehicle belonged to his father.
The driver would state they could not search
the vehicle. He stated that his truck was in the
shop being fixed and he had been driving his
dad’s for a couple months. PSO Miles again
asked for his consent to search the vehicle due
to them leaving an area known for criminal activity. The driver stated that there was nothing
illegal in the vehicle but he did not want officers
looking through his vehicle. PSO miles advised
him to stay in the vehicle.
At this time PSO Miles contacted Cpl Griswold
to come to the traffic stop. When Cpl Griswold
arrived, PSO Miles stated that he had stopped
them for an equipment violation. PSO Miles told
Cpl Griswold that they had left the Knights Inn, a
hotel known for criminal activity, and the driver
has had some drug problems in the past. The
driver’s story about coming all the way to Aiken
12 | Canine Courier June 2016
Region 2
to take the passengers to the store just didn’t
make sense. The driver and front passenger
were still in the vehicle. Cpl Griswold had PSO
Miles get the occupants out of the vehicle.
Cpl Griswold deployed K9 Maya for a K9 sniff
of the Chevy 4 door 2500 truck. The roadway had a high volume of traffic with morning commuters to school and work. This was
K9 Maya’s first search on a highly traveling
roadway. Cpl Griswold started the K9 sniff on
the right rear of the vehicle with a right hand
search. K9 Maya went down the passenger
side and around to the driver’s side a little
distracted by the passing traffic on both sides
Region 4
NORTH CAROLINA/SOUTH CAROLINA
on the vehicle. K9 Maya came to the C post
on the passenger side, her mouth closed, her
breath increased and she started bracketing
back and forth on the passenger side of the
vehicle. K9 Maya went under the truck at
the right rear passenger door, and continued
working. K9 Maya gave a positive alert on the
front passenger side door at the B post.
A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 20 grams of Methamphetamines in a
case located on the right side of the transmission hump under the front seat passenger
seat, 4 grams of Methamphetamine in a mint
container in an overhead compartment, and
1.5 grams of Methamphetamine in a cigarette
pack on top of the center console. Also located
was a small amount of Marijuana. The driver
and front seat passenger were charged with
Trafficking Methamphetamines, and Possession of Marijuana 2nd.
Cpl Griswold and K9 Maya were put in service
after three weeks of training at Tarheel Canine
in Sanford, NC, on February 20, 2016. Cpl Griswold and K9 Maya had just competed in the
USPCA Spring Trials on March 12, 2016 in
Aiken, SC certifying in Narcotics Detection. This
was K9 Maya’s first case with Cpl Griswold.
CONNECTICUT/MASSACHUSETTS
Region 4
On April 11-14 Region 4 and the Boston Police Department coordinated by Troy Caisey, hosted
the National EOD Seminar in Boston, MA. K9 teams from Connecticut, Maryland, Georgia and
adjoining states to Massachusetts were in attendance.
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 13
Region 5
OHIO • KENTUCKY • INDIANA
Region 5 – Patrol
Officer Marco Caito & Canine Aki
Middletown Police Department,
Ohio
Region 5 – Patrol
Deputy Brad Volk & K9 Xander
Washington County Sheriff’s Office,
MN
On 2-29-16 at 1129 hours Middletown Police responded to assist Butler County Deputies at Madison High school due to an active
shooter. Prior to arrival Officer were informed
we had had at least two students and multiple
shots fired.
On January 4th, 2016, at 0231 hours, Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Volk and
his K9 partner Xander responded to assist the
Forest Lake Police Department with a burglary in progress. While en route, Deputy Volk
was updated that officers were in a foot pursuit with suspects. Upon arrival, Deputy Volk
placed Xander in a harness with a 30 foot lead
and gave 3 K9 warnings with no response.
While checking the area of a swamp, the first
suspect was located and taken into custody.
Suspect had fled from the building toward
a wooded area. The School Resource Officer
was attempting to cut the suspect off by getting in his cruiser and heading to West Alexander Rd. During this action he was able to
observe the suspect heading back toward the
school. The deputy than turned around blocking the suspects travel. The suspect then went
up a hill where he dropped his weapon that
he had been seen with. The School Resource
Officer held his location knowing several unit
where already on scene. Officer Caito with his
partner canine Aki quickly arrived and began a
track from where the weapon was located with
a cover team. It was unknown at that time if
suspect had additional weapons
Canine Aki immediately began tracking in a
South East direction through a wooded area,
as they approached an area with thick underbrush the suspect came out with his hands up
and surrendered to the cover team with Officer
Caito and canine Aki.
The suspect observed officers on State Route
122 and West Alexandria setting up the perimeter and could see Officer Caito with canine
Aki as they approached with the cover team.
The length of the track was approximately 250
yards, due to canine quick response the suspect was apprehended and no further incident
occurred.
P
CHECK
YOUR
DATES
Deputy Volk then re-directed PSD Xander to
the area where the second suspect was last
seen. After no response from 2 additional
warnings, Xander began tracking to the north
along a weeded area. After crossing a trail and
tracking into a wooded area. Xander subsequently located the second suspect hiding in
the wooded area. He was taken into custody
without incident.
Region 5 - Patrol
Officer Ryan Morgan & K9 Chase
Middletown Police Department
On 11/20/2015 at 0025 hours, Officer Morgan was dispatched to the area of Charles
Street and Reinartz Blvd. to assist other units
on a report of an armed robbery that had just
occurred. Dispatch advised that two black
males, one tall, one short, wearing toboggans
and hoodies, first male subject displayed a
handgun and took items.
As officers arrived on scene, at approximately 0029 hours, we received a second call at
1803 Columbia Ave., in reference to another
robbery that had just occurred with the same
description. On 11/18/2015 we also had a
robbery in the same are with similar descriptions.
The victim from Columbia advised that the
two male subjects were last seen running
south on Grimes St., from the corner of Grimes
and Columbia. At this time, Officer Morgan
deployed his K9 partner, CHASE, to attempt a
track of the suspects.
Upon doing so, CHASE immediately assumed good tracking posture, with his nose
to the ground and good four paw tension on
the line. He began tracking south on Grimes,
before going east in between houses in the
200-block of Grimes St.
CHASE continued to track south in the alley in
the 200-block of Grimes St. continuing south
through the alley, cutting between houses as
he crossed Church St. The track then crossed
over North Ave. to an alley between North
and Casper. CHASE then pulled indicating the
scent of human odor, west through the alley,
back towards Grimes St. CHASE then tracked
to the front of 118 N. Grimes St., at which time
his head came up facing the residence as he
began to air scent a subject entering the back
door.
At this time, the track came to an end at this
residence, with Officers making contact with
subjects inside. We immediately identified two
subjects one being a juvenile and the other an
adult who matched the description given from
the robberies.
With the successful track both subjects were
charged with three counts of armed robbery
and one hand gun was recovered. This assisted us in solving three robbery cases that had
occurred during a three day period and most
likely would have continued if Officer Morgan
and his canine partner Chase had not been
successful.
Renewal Membership Date: January 1, 2017.
Canine Courier article & photo submission deadlines:
February 1st • May 1st • August 1st • November 1st.
14 | Canine Courier June 2016
Region 5
Region 5 – Detector
Devin Maloney & K-9 Jax
Kettering Police Department, Ohio
At 1:57 AM on 21 March, 2016, Ptl. Anderson of the Kettering Police Department conducted a traffic stop for a turn signal violation
in the area of Galewood and Talisman in Kettering, Ohio, on a black 1995 Ford Ranger. The
driver had a felony drug history, CCW history
and was very agitated. Ptl. Anderson requested consent to search and was denied, so a K9
was dispatched.
Ptl. Devin Maloney and K9 Jax responded
to the dispatch. Ptl. Maloney and K9 Jax (18
month old German Shepherd) received their
initial certification through OPOTA December
23rd, 2015, and are assigned to the midnight
shift on road patrol. Upon arrival, K9 Jax was
deployed on an exterior free air sniff of this
OHIO • KENTUCKY • INDIANA
vehicle, beginning at the center of the rear
bumper.
As K9 Jax was being put in the starting position at the center rear of the vehicle, a change
of breathing behavior was noticed in K9 Jax
and his head was lowered to the ground. The
sniff was started, working counterclockwise
from the starting point. Immediately, K9 Jax
started pulling back towards where the starting point was. Ptl. Maloney let K9 Jax go off
lead and he went straight to the rear driver’s
side bumper, crawling under it. Once under
the bumper, K9 Jax began scratching, biting
and growling at the bumper.
There was a backpack in the truck bed near
the location K9 Jax had indicated. As Ptl. Maloney started searching it, the suspect requested Ptl. Maloney to just dump out the backpack
and get the marijuana out of it, because he
wanted his summons so he could get out of
the cold. This response sounded odd, so Ptl.
Maloney retrieved the small amount of marijuana and continued searching the vehicle. Ptl.
Maloney crawled under the vehicle to search
the bumper area that K9 Jax had indicated to,
finding a black plastic box stuck inside the lip
of the rear bumper. Inside this compartment
4 grams of Methamphetamine, 8 grams of
Cocaine, 25 Diazepam pills and 50 grams of
an unknown suspected narcotic was located.
In addition there was a digital scale and large
amount of plastic baggies in this compartment.
K9 Jax was then put inside the interior of
this vehicle, coming to a quick indication on
the center console. Inside this center console
was almost $2000 in cash, which was seized.
The suspect was charged with Drug Trafficking, Felony Drug Possession, Having a Hidden
Compartment and Felony Criminal Tools.
Region 6
Region 6 – Patrol
K9 Officer Michael Moore & K9 Odie
Cheltenham Township Police, PA
On April 4, 2016 Cheltenham Township Police were dispatched to the Walmart in their
jurisdiction. An off-duty Pennsylvania State
Parole Agent observed a male that she knew
to be wanted on a parole violation shopping at
the Walmart. The original charge on the warrant was felon aggravated assault. Two Cheltenham officers arrived on location, observed
the male and attempted to stop him. When he
was approached, the male took off running.
A foot pursuit ensued through the parking
lot and ended when the male jumped over a
chain link fence topped with razor wire and ran
into a wooded lot adjacent to a new housing
development.
Officer Moore and his K9 partner Odie responded to the foot pursuit. Moore and Odie
went to the other side of the wooded lot in
the housing development to establish a perimeter. As Moore exited his patrol vehicle, he
observed the suspect walk around the rear of
a construction trailer almost into the police car.
Moore told the suspect to not run, get on the
PENNSYLVANIA
ground or the dog would be sent. The suspect
turned and ran away from Moore and back
toward the wooded lot. Moore opened the
rear door, let Odie out and sent him on the
fleeing suspect. As the suspect was running,
he turned his head and saw Odie running after him. He then turned and faced Odie and
yelled, “Not the dog! No! Not the dog!” Moore
yelled for Odie to recall and Odie complied, returning to Moore who was now running toward
the suspect. Moore downed Odie next to him
as he handcuffed the suspect. Responding
officers then arrived on location and took the
suspect into custody.
The suspect was transported to the hospital
for cuts sustained while jumping over the razor
wire fence. He was turned over to PA State
Parole Agents to serve the remaining time on
his original sentence.
Region 6 – Detector
Cpl. Tyron Meik & K9 Zeke
Harrisburg City Police, PA
On 01-18-16, at 1630 hours, K-9 Zeke and
I assisted the Harrisburg Police Vice Unit and
Pennsylvania State Police Strike Force with a
search warrant. During the execution of the
search warrant, K-9 Zeke was brought into the
residence to conduct a search. As K-9 Zeke
searched the 2nd floor bedroom, he showed
changes of behavior in a bedroom. He started to sniff the seams of a safe, which was in
the room. After taking a deep breath along
the seam of the safe, he immediately alerted
on the safe with a final response. As a result
of K-9 Zeke alerting on the safe, a total of a
quarter pound of marijuana, 1 ounce of crack
cocaine and $1000 in US Currency was located.
On 2-25-16, at 1855 hours, K-9 Zeke and
I assisted the Harrisburg Police Vice Unit with
a search warrant. During the execution of the
search warrant, K-9 Zeke was brought into
the apartment to conduct a search. K-9 Zeke
was taken off lead and allowed to search the
bedroom. I could immediately see changes
in his behavior with how he was breathing
and quickly working the odor back and forth.
He worked across the room to a nightstand,
which was beside the bed. Zeke jumped up
with his front feet and hit the safe, which was
sitting on top of the nightstand. He then got
down off the nightstand and alerted on the
safe by staring at it. He also alerted on a
plastic container in the bedroom, which
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 15
Region 6
contained marijuana residue. A search of the
safe resulted in $9,420 in US Currency and
marijuana residue. It was later determined the
container did have marijuana inside it as police arrived, but was flushed prior to the police
being able to gain entry into the apartment.
PENNSYLVANIA
Region 6
Detector
K9 Officer Joe McGuigan & K9 Cody
Montgomery Township Police, PA
On November 5, 2015 at 14:11 hours, Officer
On 3-10-16, at 1530 hours,
McGuigan and his canine partK-9 Zeke and I assisted the
ner Cody were requested by
Harrisburg Police Vice Unit
the Horsham Township Police
and Pennsylvania Attorney
Canine Cody and department for an explosive
Generals Office with a buy
search at the English Village
I retreated from apartments in Horsham Townbust operation and search
warrant. During the buy bust
the building and ship. Detective Gallagher of the
portion, K-9 Zeke and I asHorsham Police department
sisted with the take down and notified Detective was investigating an incident
then proceeded to an address
occurred on October 31,
Gallagher of our that
in a neighboring jurisdiction.
2015 where a grenade type
K-9 Zeke went into the resexplosive was detonated in the
“sniff ” and the
idence and started in the 3rd
court yard of the apartment
positive alert.
floor bedroom, which was the
complex. Detective Gallagher
bedroom of the accused. K-9
related that they had a possible
Zeke immediately started to
suspect residing in building 17
search as soon as he entered
but he did not relinquish his/
the bedroom and immediately started to show
her name and/or his/her apartment. Detective
changes in behavior. The room was approxGallagher asked if canine Cody, trained in the
imately 10’ x 12’ in size and contained an
detection of explosives and I could conduct a
air conditioner, which was still running as we
“sniff” in the common areas of Building 17.
entered. K-9 Zeke immediately went to a bag
After meeting with Detective Gallagher I dewhich was lying on the floor and alerted on it.
ployed canine Cody on a “sniff”. I initiated the
As I approached the bag, I could see pack“sniff” on the ground level and worked up to
aging material with a white powder residue
the third floor. Canine Cody swept 10 exteriinside it. The bag appeared to be filled with
or apartment doors. On the tenth apartment
paraphernalia which was consistent with nar(apartment C-5) door canine Cody showed a
cotics manufacturing and delivering.
demeanor change (breathing) on the right side
of the door seam along the floor. Canine Cody
K-9 Zeke continued to search the room
intently “sniffed” the door seam up the door
and due to the small size of the room, Zeke
frame from the floor. As Canine Cody “sniffed”
showed changes of behavior during the enapartment C-5 door knob/lock area he gave a
tire search. He alerted on the trash can and
positive alert. It was at this time, canine Cody
a search revealed more paraphernalia which
and I retreated from the building and notified
was consistent with narcotics manufacturing
Detective Gallagher of our “sniff” and the posand delivering. K-9 Zeke also alerted in the
itive alert. Det. Gallagher related Apt. C-5 was
small closet on a pile of items, which were
the suspect’s apartment. Detective Gallagher
lying on the floor. Due to all the changes of
applied for a search warrant for apartment
behavior and overwhelming odor permeating
C-5. The search warrant was issued as a dithroughout the room, an entire room search
rect result of canine Cody’s indication and the
was completed. As a result of the search of
Montgomery County Bomb squad along with
the room, an extreme amount of paraphernaMontgomery County East Region SWAT team,
lia used to manufacture and deliver narcotics
F.B.I. and A.T.F. responded to execute the
was found. A shelf inside the closet where K-9
search warrant. Located in the apartment was
Zeke alerted contained $18,310 in US cura large amount of fireworks mortars, ammurency. A total of 496.9 grams of cocaine was
nition and multiple firearms. They also found
located in numerous areas inside that room.
evidence of bomb making material. The resiK-9 Zeke was instrumental in locating the nardent was arrested and charged with arson of
cotics and currency in these cases.
an inhabited building, unlawful possession or
manufacture of weapons of mass destruction,
possession of explosive/incendiary material
and related offenses, the subject at that time
was awaiting trial.
Region 6
Detective Christine Kelliher & K9
Karma
Bensalem Township Police Dept, PA
DEA Task Force - Detector
Bensalem Township Police Detective/Task
Force Officer Christine Kelliher and K9 Karma
are assigned to the DEA Task Force (Philadelphia) Camden/HIDTA Mass Transit Interdiction Group. On February 3, 2016, Detective
Kelliher was contacted by the Department of
Homeland Security to assist with a K9 sniff
of a large piece of freight that originated in
Puerto Rico and was destined for delivery to
Bensalem Township. Det. Kelliher responded
to the freight company located just outside
cargo city at the Philadelphia Airport to assist
in the investigation. Investigators believed that
the crate possibly contained 50 kilograms
of cocaine. The target crate was among
several other crates of the same size and
texture inside of the warehouse. Det. Kelliher
cued K9 Karma to sniff for narcotics and allowed her to conduct an off lead search of the
area. K9 Karma sniffed the target crate as well
as several other crates in the area and gave
no indication that she smelled the odor of narcotics. Det. Kelliher then conducted a detailed,
on lead search of the crate including all seams
with negative results. Det. Kelliher advised
Investigators that K9 Karma showed no interest and did not indicate that the odor of narcotics was present.
On February 5, 2016, Det. Kelliher received
a call from DHS Investigators advising that
they received information from a confidential
source that no narcotics were present in the
crate from February 3rd and it was sent as a
test to see if the crate would be searched prior
to delivery. Information was also received that
another crate would be arriving in Philadelphia
on February 9, 2016 and it was believed that
the crate would be carrying approximately
17 kilograms of cocaine. DHS Investigators
obtained a Federal Anticipatory Search war-
16 | Canine Courier June 2016
Region 6
rant that would only be valid if K9 Karma gave
a positive indication to the odor of narcotics
coming from the crate when the crate arrived
at the Freight Company. On arrival, the crate
was placed among other crates and cargo in
the warehouse. Det. Kelliher cued K9 Karma
to sniff for narcotics. When K9 Karma sniffed
the area where the bottom of the crate met the
pallet, Det. Kelliher observed several physical
changes in K9 Karma consistent for when K9
Karma smells narcotics and K9 Karma gave
a final response to the odor of narcotics by
scratching and biting at the bottom of the
crate. The search warrant was executed and
the crate was opened. Inside the crate were
several boxes of legitimate medical equipment
and underneath these boxes were several
cardboard boxes that contained locked file
boxes. Inside the file boxes were approximately
136 kilograms of cocaine. The kilos of cocaine
were removed from the freight and replaced
with sham kilos. The crate was picked up at
the dock by two Targets and taken to a storage
facility. One cardboard box was turned over to
a third Target and that Target was followed out
of the area and arrested by surveillance units
in the Northern New Jersey area. The two
original Targets were then taken into custody
by surveillance units at the storage facility.
PENNSYLVANIA
Region 6
K9 Deputy Tom Franklin & K9 Behr
Montgomery County Sherriff’s Dept
Norristown, PA
On February 26, 2016 I was contacted by
County Radio stating Montgomery Township
Police was requesting a K9 for a track of a
suspect driver who fled the scene of a vehicle
crash that was being pursued by police. The
suspect was a member of the Felony Lane
Gang (FLG) an organized network of criminals
throughout the U.S., which has stolen tens of
millions of dollars from financial institutions.
I responded to the area of 202 Parkway and
Horsham Road in Montgomery Township. I
made contact with Officer Dan Rose who advised me the suspect was last seen fleeing between the 200 and 300 block of Devon Court.
K9 Behr was deployed and started a track at
1443 hours in the area of where the suspect
was last seen. At this time K9 Behr tracked
to an open field and started pulling to the left
towards Horsham Road. During the track K9
Behr located a black ski hat and then started
to pull towards a creek in the direction of The
Montgomery Township Sewer Authority in the
Orchard development.
K9 Behr tracked crossing two sections of the
creek and started pulling to a water passage
tunnel that runs under Horsham Road. At this
time Officer Dan Rose used a flashlight to look
into the tunnel and observed a person matching the description of the suspect who was
partially submerged in the water approximately 30 feet into the tunnel. I positioned myself
along with K9 Behr in the middle of the creek
to provide cover for Officer Dan Rose.
At this time Officer Dan Rose ordered the subject out of the tunnel and to keep his hands up.
The subject came out and was ordered to the
ground on the embankment of the creek. The
subject was taken into custody at 1451 hours.
After the subject was taken into custody and
secured with other Officers a back track was
conducted to look for any additional articles.
Nothing further was found.
Several arrests have been made locally by
law enforcement of FLG members operating
in the Philadelphia metro area. The FLG have
been operational for over 10 years in 40 states
and have 800 known members
SEPTA Explosive Class E-1 2016
From Left to Right
SGT David Parke, Head Trainer Septa Transit PD
P/O Jeffery Seamans and K9 Rookie, Lower Merion Twp PD
P/O Derrick Gordon and K9 Lars, Septa Transit PD
P/O Jackie Trower and K9 Jagger, Septa Transit PD
P/O Jason Walters and K9 Jase, Septa Transit PD
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 17
Region 6
PENNSYLVANIA
Region 6 Detector Trials
Hosted by Chester County
Sheriff’s Office
March 14, 15th and 16th Region
6 had its annual Detector Dog Certifications. This event was hosted
by the Chester County Sheriff’s
Office at the Chester County Public Safety Training Campus (CCPSTC). The CCPSTC is a state of
the art Training Center which was
a perfect venue and very accommodating for this event.
There were a total of 80 teams
registered for this event. Narcotic,
Explosive, Cadaver and Accelerant
canines were certified. To date
this was the largest detector certification held in Region 6. Teams
were in attendance from various
local and state Law Enforcement
agencies from Pennsylvania, New
Jersey and New York.
The host agency, Chester County
Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), is headed
by Sheriff Carolyn Bunny Welsh.
Sheriff Welsh was in attendance
every day, greeting the competitors in the morning and interacting
with all the competitors throughout the day. She also provided a
catered lunch each day for all
competitors, judges and staff.
Sheriff Welsh states “it was an
honor to host the USPCA trials.
The CCSO was fully engaged and
proud to both host and participate
in such an extraordinary event.
It was an exceptional group of
men and women who were truly
dedicated to their work as canine
handlers. It was a pleasure to see
them work with their K-9 partners
and display their training and skill
Region 6 – Patrol
K9 Officer Chad Smith & K9 Tychus
Cheltenham Township Police, PA
On December 3, 2015 at 2113 hours, police
responded to a residence where a mother reported her son was sleeping inside her parked
car in the driveway, and that he was a wanted person for multiple warrants out of Bucks
County, PA and the City of Philadelphia. As po-
in a competitive setting.”
specialties offered during this trial.
Sheriff Welsh continues “Deputy Paul Bryant Jr is an excellent
addition to the Sheriff’s Office. He
brings great experience and is the
utmost professional. He is a USPCA National Judge and Level III
Trainer. We greatly appreciate his
efforts and outreach in planning
and implementing this event”
Sheriff Welsh encouraged all of
her Canine Deputies to become a
part of the USPCA. Her office has
seven canines and they all entered
and certified in their specialties.
The CCSO K9 is supervised by Lt
Harry McKinney. He was the driving force bringing this certification
to Chester County. CCSO was the
only agency that certified in all
The overall response from the
competitors for this event was
very positive. Competitors were
impressed that this was the first
USPCA event hosted by the CCSO
K9 Unit. The competitors from the
New York City Police Department
were moved by the 911 monument at the main entrance of the
CCPSTC. This beautiful monument
holds a steel beam from the World
Trade Center that was manufactured in Coatesville PA less than
one mile from the training center.
lice were arriving, the subject in question presumably observed their arrival and fled on foot
from the vehicle. The subject, who is known to
be aggressive towards police, fled the area in
an unknown direction to avoid being arrested.
The subject was also known to be a heroin and
PCP user. Patrol units called for K9 to locate
the subject. K9 Officer Smith arrived and after
obtaining the facts deployed K9 Tychus on a
track he initiated from the vehicle. The track
first led north through the complainants back
The CCSO and Sheriff Welsh look
forward to hosting the Region 6
PDI Field Trials on August 26th,
27th and 28th at the CCPSTC.
yard, but after observing a negative behavior
Smith redeployed K9 Tychus allowing him to
cast the yard. K9 Tychus began tracking south
into a neighbor’s yard and began to pull very
hard towards the driveway and towards a lone
parked car. K9 Tychus located the subject hiding beneath the car. Smith ordered the subject
to remain still while back-up officers removed
the subject and placed him into custody without further incident. The subject was turned
over to other authorities for the warrants.
18 | Canine Courier June 2016
Region 6
PENNSYLVANIA
Region 6 Detector Trial Results (Top 5)
REGION #6 CADAVER CERTIFICATION 3/16/16
Handler
Dog
Department
Score
Paul Bryant
Don
Chester County S.O.
198.67
Patricia Kaynaroglu
Pacy
PA Task Force #1
198.67
Monika Grejniec
Nero
NewYork City P.D.
195.00
Matthew Cocking
Creed
NJSP
195.00
Benjamin Colecchia
Timoshenko
NewYork City P.D.
194.67
REGION #6 ACELLERANT CERTIFICATION 3/16/16
Handler
Dog
Department
Score
John DiBuonaventuro
Leo
Chester County S.O.
189.00
REGION #6 NARCOTIC CERTIFICATION 3/14/16
Handler
Dog
Dept
Score
Michael Schum
Argo
Bensalem Twp. P.D.
199.33
Joe Angarone
Bela
Mercer County Prosecutors Office
199.00
Michael Sarro
Denise
Chester County S.O.
198.67
Scott Disnmore
Jaso
Abington Twp. P.D.
197.00
Harry McKinney
Jessie
Chester County S.O.
196.50
REGION #6 EXPLOSIVES CERTIFICATION 3/15/16
HANDLER
DOG
DEPT.
SCORE
Sean Mackey
Zzisa
Univ. of Penn P.D.
297.50
Michael Watts
Major
Plymouth Twp. P.D.
294.01
David Richardson
Prince
Bensalem Twp. P.D.
292.33
Sean Forsyth
Bikkel
Montgomery County S.O.
291.83
Brian Bolt
Yukon
Chester County S.O.
291.67
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 19
Region 6
PENNSYLVANIA
Region 6 – In Service
October 2015
Whitemarsh Township Police, PA
K9 Officer Matt Sadulis & K9 Nikka
Patrol – Explosives
Trained by Tarheel K9
December 2015
Lower Merion Township Police, PA
K9 Officer Jeff Seamans & K9 Rookie
Patrol – Explosives
Trained by Penn Vet Working Dog Center
Class 15-1
& SEPTA K9 Training Unit
Region 6 – End of Watch
see also page 54
K9 Jammer - Montgomery
Township Police K9 Unit, PA
The Montgomery Township Police
Canine Unit is sad to announce the
passing of K9 Jammer. K9 Jammer
was the loyal partner of Sgt. Robert
Hart and served Montgomery Township from 2005 through his retirement in 2015. K9 Jammer passed
peacefully in the company of his
family on Saturday, February 20th
2016 at nearly 13 years of age. K9
Jammer earned numerous awards
through the USPCA and aided in
the arrest of countless criminals.
K9 Jammer will surely be missed
by the department, his family and
most of all, by his partner.
K9 Zazu - SEPTA Transit
Police K9 Unit,
Philadelphia PA
K9 Zazu #K11 passed away April
2016 after fighting a brief but serious illness. K9 Zazu was the loyal
partner and family member of Sgt.
Dave Parke. During his service to the
SEPTA Transit Police Department K9
Zazu provided safety and security for
numerous Presidents and dignitaries as well as worked many special
events. K9 Zazu found evidence that
was used in the course of criminal
activity and assisted the Pennsylvania State Police in the search for the
murder of a PA State Trooper, Eric
Frien in the Pocono Mountains. God
bless you ZAZU see you at the rainbow bridge.
April 18, 2016
Montgomery Township Police, PA
K9 Officer Dan Rose & K9 Odin
Patrol – Narcotics
Trained by Tarheel K9
K9 Jake - Warminster Police
Department, PA
K9 Jake and Officer Andy Simkiew started their partnership
career as a K9 team in October
2006. K9 Jake served diligently
for the Warminster Township Police Department in Bucks County,
as well as assisting other departments in Montgomery County
and Berks County, until he retired
on January 1st, 2016. During his
career, K9 Jake was instrumental
in the apprehension of three suspects who had committed a double homicide in Warminster after
he tracked from the apartment
complex where the homicide occurred, directly to the residence
the suspects fled into. K9 Jake
also proved to be a valuable asset
in saving lives, finding several individuals who threatened suicide
and fled into wooded areas or
neighborhoods that K9 Jake located just prior to them attempting to
take their own lives. K9 Jake was
enjoying retirement until he was
taken from us unexpectedly on
April 10 after suffering from several seizures caused by brain cancer.
K9 Jake was a great partner and
loved member of his family and
extended Police family. He will be
sorely missed, but always remembered.
20 | Canine Courier June 2016
o
u
F
n
d
A
a
C
t
ion
P
S
U
Help us make a difference!
General Donation
Your donation makes the USPCA’s work possible, and
helps local regions across the nation provide support to
law enforcement officers and their dogs to provide better
service to their communities.
Honorary Donation
Make a living gift to honor a friend, loved one or special
pet, and send a message of hope and caring to law enforcement.
Memorial Donation
Make a personal remembrance to commemorate the life of
a friend, a loved one, a special pet and share a loving gift
with their family.
Please consider making a charitable donation in support of our goal of providing professional assistance to Officers, their agencies and communities served by police service dog programs.
For More Information: It is wise to consult tax professionals if you are contemplating a gift. Please
feel free to email Executive Director Dr. “Lou” David Ferland at [email protected] with any
questions.
Make your donation to: USPCA Foundation • Jim Matarese, Treasurer
20 Hickory Ridge Dr • Falmouth, VA 22405-1440
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 21
Region 9
MAINE/ EASTERN CANADA
Region 9 Detector Case of the
Quarter, First Quarter 2016
Officer Christian Stickney and K-9
Blaze
Portland Police Department, Maine
he went to county jail with anything it would be
another charge. The male then stated he had
an acid strip in his jacket pocket. I located a
small envelope on the inside left jacket pocket
which contained a strip believed to be acid.
The passenger was removed from the vehicle
by Officer Demchak while Officer Murphy and
I completed a search of the vehicle. I began a
search inside the vehicle with Blaze when Officer Murphy stated he located a small baggie
with white powder in the center console, see
his attached report.
On 01/20/16, Officer Christian Stickney was
contacted by MDEA Agent Goodman by phone
asking for a vehicle to be stopped for speeding
and swerving. Agent Goodman was following
the vehicle outbound Congress St. Officer
Stickney made the stop on the vehicle, a gray
Toyota with MA registration, on Stevens Ave
just past Capisic St.
The following is a summation of the traffic stop:
I (Officer Stickney) spoke with the driver who
presented identification. The passenger also
produced identification. I advised the subjects
that I had stopped them because someone
called in stating they were swerving all over
the roadway on Congress Street. I asked if the
driver had been drinking and he stated no. I
asked both males if they were on bail or probation and both stated they were not. I asked
when they were last in any kind of trouble and
the passenger stated he recently had a Domestic situation, but that it was resolved.
I went back to my vehicle and spoke briefly to
Agent Goodman on the phone advising who I
had. I went back to the vehicle and stated that
the passenger had drug history and that I had
a trained drug dog and was going to run the
dog around the outside of the vehicle. I asked
the males if there were any drugs in the vehicle and they stated no. The passenger questioned why I was searching the vehicle with
my K9 and I stated because he had drug history and that is part of my job. I then gave the
males the option to stay in the vehicle or get
out while the K9 search was being conducted, they elected to stay inside. I asked for the
keys to the vehicle and put them on the roof
to prevent any type of Officer safety issue with
them moving the vehicle during the search. I
also told the men to keep their hands inside
the vehicle during the search. I then gave both
licenses to Officer K. Murphy for him to run
through dispatch and I then went to get my K9
to begin a search without any delay.
I brought K9 Blaze to the rear of the vehicle and put him in a down stay while I did my
pre search walk around the vehicle. I then
returned and gave K-9 Blaze his search command while working him on flat collar. Blaze
then began at the rear of the vehicle and
moved down the passenger’s side to the front
end of the vehicle. At the front of the vehicle
Blaze made a head snap to his left and then
went under the engine compartment of the vehicle and began searching with great intensity
as if he was in odor. I could hear Blaze making
deep nasal exchanges and this was followed
by a passive indication with a sit and stare at
the front end of the vehicle.
I then had to pull Blaze from the alert position with the lead towards the driver side of the
vehicle to bring him back to the cruiser. When
Blaze got just prior to the driver’s door he again
made a head snap and pulled low going up
underneath the engine area of the vehicle with
intensity, lying on the ground.
I then went back to my cruiser to put Blaze
inside and complete a search of the vehicle. I
was advised by Officer Murphy that the driver
had a suspended Maine license.
I walked up to the driver and told him to exit
the vehicle and explained he had a suspended
Maine license. I placed him in handcuffs without incident and asked if he had any drugs or
weapons on him. He appeared very nervous
and I told him he was under arrest and that if
I put Blaze up and wanted to search under
the vehicles engine compartment. I then got
on the ground and searched under the engine
not locating anything. I was then able to open
the hood to the vehicle and had to climb up
onto the engine to begin a search. I located
a large hard plastic black box on the passenger’s side of the vehicle closest to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The box
was stuck to the side of the vehicle next to the
engine and was wrapped with elastic bands.
I then grabbed the box, which had two large
magnets on the back side. When I opened the
box I found numerous baggies of white and
brown substance. Based on my years of experience I believe this to be both Cocaine and
Heroin.
We then stopped our search and I spoke with
Agent Goodman on the phone and advised
him of what we located and he responded
to the scene. The passenger was placed in
handcuffs when the contraband was located.
Officer Demchak located $2717.31 in cash
on the passenger. This money was taken by
Officer Demchak. We then stopped the search
and towed the vehicle to 109 Middle St for
a warrant to be obtained. I followed Bayside
towing to the station with the vehicle. I then
secured the vehicle in the storage container
and locked both doors.
All the contraband was handed over by me to
Agent Goodman at the Police Station.
Blaze and I are certified in Patrol and Narcotics through the State of Maine. I was later advised by MDEA the following weights of
contraband:
1. Heroin 32.3grams
2. Cocaine base 34.7grams
3. Cocaine HCL 53.7 grams
4. MDMA 1.4 grams
22 | Canine Courier June 2016
Region 9
Region 9 Patrol Case of the Quarter,
First Quarter 2016
Sergeant Thomas Chard & K-9
Chesca
Scarborough Police Department
On 03/10/16 at 1344 hours, dispatch called
me at home and asked if I was available for
a missing elderly female at 14 Laurel Ridge
Road.
Arriving at 14 Laurel Ridge Road at 1405
hrs., I learned that the missing woman, Cynthia Williams DOB 06/01/34, had dementia.
Cynthia was missing from sometime between
0730 and 1300 hrs. I also learned that she
had a bad hip which made it painful to walk
great distances. The missing woman may
also have wanted to go back to her former
residence in Raymond. I asked for a piece of
clothing of Cynthia’s so I could scent the dog
on it. I was led into Cynthia’s bedroom and obtained a pajama top.
I brought the pajama top out to the garage
and placed it on the floor. I then went to my
personal vehicle and got K9 Chesca out for a
track. I put her harness on and brought her to
the garage. I then had her sniff the article of
clothing and gave her the command to track.
Chesca went outside the garage and over to
MAINE/ EASTERN CANADA
the adjacent property. I could
tell there was track loss so I
brought her to the rear of 14
Laurel Ridge. Chesca checked
the back of the house and into
the woods but did not show
any track posture.
of behavior and Chesca began
to pull hard on the tracking
line. She continued to pull into
the field. She then came to
the wood line and went down
a hill towards some streams,
into the woods. When we got
to the base of the hill, Chesca
displayed a head snap to the
left and turned left. I could tell
that there was someone close.
I could see an elderly female
up a gradual hill holding onto
some trees for support. The
female matched the description. Chesca got to her and sat
indicating she was the person
we started tracking. I asked if
she was Cynthia and she said
“Yes”. She also said, “I don’t know how to get
home”. I observed that her sweat pants were
wet from the knees down to her feet. She was
missing a slipper. She appeared exhausted. An
ambulance was called to the scene and Sgt.
Thibodeau stood by her. I secured Chesca in
my vehicle and cleared the call at 1434 hrs.
At the front
of the vehicle
Blaze made a
head snap to
his left and then
went under
the engine
compartment
of the vehicle…
I re-started her on the article of clothing again and
cast her down the driveway.
She started to pull across the
lawn and out to Laurel Ridge.
She stayed on the lawn and
went to the next residence.
She showed track loss and I
advised Sgt. Thibodeau that I
was going to bring her to the
end of the road where I most
likely thought she would have
gone. I believed that since she could not walk
too well and the fact that she was elderly,
someone would have seen her if she was
walking on Rt. 114 and would have most likely
called the police to report it.
I got to the end of Laurel Ridge and cast her
at the turn around. I then brought her over to
the very end where I observed some tire tracks
and it appeared to be some type of tote road.
As soon as I cast her out, I noticed a change
Region 10
Region 10 - Detector
Cpl Dan McClung & K-9
Buffy
Grant Parish Sheriff’s
Office, LA
On January 21, 2016 I, Cpl. Dan
McClung was on Patrol in the
parish of Grant when I was dispatched to suspicious person’s
complaint.
I made contact with two male
subjects out of Dangerfield and
Dekalb, Texas and a female from
Idabel, Oklahoma. The subjects
were driving a black 2013, Kia 4
door sedan with Out of state Texas license plate.
LOUISIANA
Consent to search the vehicle
was denied by the driver and
owner of the vehicle.
crystal like substance (suspected
to be meth.)
The charges were. Possession
of Methamphetamine, synthetic
cannabis, drug paraphernalia,
and possession of Xanax. In addition a total of four fugitive warrants from Oklahoma and Texas.
I deployed K9 Buffy to conduct
a clean air sniff of the outside
of the vehicle reverse search
pattern where Buffy alerted to
the odor of Narcotics around the
back driver’s side door area of
the vehicle.
Upon search I found a glass
pipe, commonly used to ingest
illegal narcotics in the front center dash console of the vehicle.
Also a marijuana stuffed cigar
was found on the rear seat of the
vehicle, and numerous small blue
pills found to be narcotics .
The female subject was from
Idabel Oklahoma and had NCIC
warrants from that state also
both Texas males had NCIC warrants from Texas. All subject’s
were arrested and advised of
there Miranda rights. The female
subject had a small Baggie of
June 2016
Upon arrival at the Detention
center the female subject was
very nervous the female deputy
on duty searched the female and
came back with a small clear
Baggie of what appeared to be
crystal like substance ( meth )
and was also charged with introducing contraband to penal facility, obstruction of justice.
www.uspcak9.com | 23
Patrol Case
of the Year
O
n 11-25-15 at approx.
2300 hrs, I, Officer Jeremy
Stines, responded to the
Bull Market at 935 Hollywood
Drive in reference to someone
being shot inside the store in an
apparent armed robbery .
Upon arrival, the store clerk
had in fact been shot in the head
and killed by a suspect who was
attempting to rob the store. I
obtained information from a
witness that the suspect was last
seen fleeing on foot going east on
Arlington Avenue.
Due to the violent nature of
the crime I decided to deploy
my Police service dog “Pax” in
an attempt to locate the suspect.
I started Pax along the sidewalk
on the south side of Arlington
next to the Bull Market and gave
him the command to track. Pax
immediately picked up on a fresh
scent and began tracking down
the sidewalk going east on along
Arlington Avenue. Pax then
veered off the sidewalk toward a
paved parking lot behind the Bull
Market and continued to track east
toward the rear of the Arlington
Bowling Alley. Pax continued to
track along the backside of the
bowling alley, pass the bowling
alley and toward Lion`s baseball
field at 730 Arlington Avenue.
Once reaching the baseball field
Pax tracked up to a 6 foot chain
link fence on the west side of the
Region 13
Officer Jeremy Stines and K9 Pax
Sgt. Brandon Moss and K9 Kyra
Jackson, TN Police Dept.
baseball field and was showing
interest in trying to get to the
other side of the fence which led
to the baseball field playing area.
Due to the fence being too tall
for both me and Pax to get over,
I decided to take Pax around
to the east side of the field in an
attempt to cut the suspect off who
appeared to have climbed the 6
foot fence and was still traveling
east according to the direction
Pax was tracking.
While approaching the east
side of the field I observed Pax
beginning to air scent the suspect
at which time I thought I heard
movement inside the wooded
area behind the outfield fence of
the baseball field.
Pax pulled me to the top of a hill
directly behind the outfield of the
baseball field and began showing
signs that he was getting close to
the suspect. At the top of the hill
Pax located a pair of pants and
a shirt and at that time I heard
some movement in the wooded
area between where we were and
the baseball field.
I then gave one loud verbal
K-9 warning for the suspect
to surrender or the dog would
be sent to find him and would
possibly bite him. After giving the
warning the suspect spoke back
and stated that he wasn`t coming
out and that we were going to have
to come get him. I then noticed
that the suspect was on the other
side of another 6 foot fence and
there was no way for Pax and I to
clear the fence safely in order to
apprehend the suspect.
A Patrol Officer who covered
for me on the track, advised that
he would remain at our current
location so I could go back
around to the west side of the
baseball field and attempt to find
a way inside the 6 foot chain link
fence to gain access to where the
suspect was.
While enroute back around to
the west side of the baseball field I
could hear other officers advising
that they observed the suspect
behind the scoreboard which was
behind the right outfield fence of
the ball field (southwest end of
the field).
After arriving at the west side
of the ball field I made contact
with Ofc. Hamilton who advised
that he found a path through the
wooded area that led directly to
where the suspect was hiding.
As we got close to the suspect I
observed the suspect between the
outfield fence of the ball field and
a 6 foot fence that was between
us and the suspect which put the
suspect in between two fences
making it impossible for Pax to
engage the suspect.
K-9 Sgt. Moss then arrived to
assist myself and Ofc. Hamilton
24 | Canine Courier June 2016
Officer Jeremy Stines and Pax
Sgt. Moss and K9 Kira; Officer Stines and K9 Pax
and provide cover with his department issued shotgun.
While other Officers were challenging the suspect I could hear
the suspect yelling that he was not
going to surrender and that he
would “take one of us with him”
and he stated for officers to come
get him. After a few minutes
myself, Ofc. Hamilton, and Sgt
Moss heard what we thought to
be someone climbing a chain link
fence. A few seconds later Ofc.
Hamilton observed the suspect
moving directly toward us approx.
30 yards away.
Sgt Moss then advised that he
was going to illuminate the suspect
with his shotgun light and start
challenging him. After Sgt. Moss
shined his light on the suspect
and began challenging him, I
observed that the suspect had his
hands inside the front pocket of
his sweatshirt and he would not
obey Sgt. Moss`s orders to show
his hands. Due to that the suspect’s
previous violent actions, his failure
to comply with verbal commands,
and the chance he could escape I
decided to send Pax to apprehend
the suspect. Pax apprehended the
suspect by biting the him on the
right shoulder and immediately
taking him to the ground.
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 25
Professional
Dog Training Equipment
usa.julius-k9.com
813 253 9903
byCourier
[email protected]
26 | Canine
June 2016
I approached the suspect at
gunpoint fearing that the suspect
was about shoot Pax, then myself,
and/or other officers. While approaching the suspect I observed
that the suspect had his right arm
around Pax`s neck and would not
obey my commands to show me
his left hand. After a brief struggle,
the suspect let go of Pax with his
right arm and rolled onto his
right side, still not showing his left
hand and remaining combative.
Ofc. Hamilton deployed his Tazer
which then allowed officers to
grab his left hand. After noticing
that the suspect was not holding
a weapon, I gave Pax (who was
still engaged onto the suspect’s
right shoulder) the command to
let go of the suspect. The suspect
was then taken into custody and
transported to the hospital to
have his injuries treated.
After A brief search
wooded area where the
was taken into custody,
could not locate the gun
the homicide/robbery.
of the
suspect
officers
used in
teamwork used by K-9 teams of
the Jackson Police Department,
I would like to nominate K-9
“Pax” and Officer Stines, and
K-9 “Kyra” and Sgt. Moss for the
USPCA Region 13 Patrol Case of
the Quarter.
K-9 Sgt. Moss then went back
to the scene with his K-9 “Kyra”
and deployed Kyra in an attempt
to locate the gun. Within minutes
of deploying Kyra into the wooded
area where the suspect was taken
into custody, Kyra located the
gun behind the scoreboard where
the suspect was first observed
by officers. Kyra located other
evidence in the wooded area as
well.
Due to the successful capture
of a homicide suspect and the
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 27
Detector Case
of the Year
O
Region 12
Trooper Mike Flanagan and K9 Layka
Minnesota State Patrol
n March 19, 2015 Trp. Mike Flanagan
conducted a traffic stop on I-35 northbound in
Freeborn County for traffic Violation, during
the traffic stop Trooper Flanagan became suspicious
that the occupants were involved in drug Trafficking.
Trooper Flanagan received verbal and written
consent to search the vehicle. Trooper Flanagan
deployed his USPCA certified Canine, “Layka”
around the exterior of the vehicle. Layka was alerting
high along the passenger side of the vehicle and
indicated.
The vehicle was towed to a secondary area off the
interstate where a detailed
Search of the vehicle could be conducted. Trooper
Flanagan deployed Layka a second time at the Department of Transportation Building. Layka alerted
and indicated on an air compressor in the bed of the
truck.
Upon further examination tooling marks and
tampering was observed on the pump area of the air
compressor. Upon removal of the pump a false com-
Trp. Mike Flanagan and K9 Layka
partment was discovered that contained 33 pounds
of Methamphetamine. Both occupants were arrested
for 1st degree drug possession.
Tickets sold at 5th & Market, all Vehicles and phillytour.com
The double-decker bus
tours provide amazing
views of the City!
•Hop on Hop Off
•27 Stops
Trolley Tours
•1 Day, 2 Day or 3 Day pass
•27 Stops
•90+ Minute
Call for FREE
shuttle pick up
from Center
City Hotels
•1 Day, 2 Day or
3 Day pass
•Daily Tours
Carriage Tours
•Private Coaches
•Daytime Tours
•Evening Rides
28 | Canine Courier June 2016
215-389-TOUR (8687) | phillytour.com
Fine Leather Belts and Accessories
boston
Commitment
DeDication
Courage
LoyaLty
Valor
We at Boston Leather support those who serve.
Let us serve you with only the best quality leather products.
8320-1
1” Double Ply K-9 Collar
8501-1
K-9 Badge Holder
Leather
8115-1
72” Adjustable K-9 Lead
60” Agitation K-9 Lead
72” Agitation K-9 Lead
8301-1 1” Leather Collar
8310-1 1¼” Leather Collar
8320-1 2” Leather Agitation Collar
8350-1 1” Split Ring Collar
8360-1 1” Single Ply Collar
8205-1 19”K-9TrafficLead
Crafted with Pride
In the USA
8115-1
72” Adjustable Lead
NyLoN
8250-1 Belt Attachment for K-9 Lead
8201-1 11”K-9TrafficLead
8210-1
8215-1
8250-1
Belt Attachment for K-9 Lead
8120-1
26” Denver K-9 Lead
8115-5
8120-5
8250-5
8201-5
8205-5
8210-5
8215-5
8270-5
8272-5
8274-5
8275-5
8276-5
72” Adjustable K-9 Lead
26” Denver K-9 Lead
Belt Attachment for K-9 Lead
11”K-9TrafficLead
19”K-9TrafficLead
60” Agitation K-9 Lead
72” Agitation K-9 Lead
15’ Lead
20’ K-9 Lead
30’ K-9 Lead
33’ K-9 Lead
50’ K-9 Lead
8115-5
72” Adjustable Lead Nylon
8270-5
15” K-9 Lead
Nylon
Visit Us Online To Find A Dealer Near You | www.bostonleather.com
P: (800) 733-1492 | F: (800) 856-1650 | 1801 Eastwood Dr. Sterling, IL 61081
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 29
TICK-BORNE DISEASES
ARE A GROWING THREAT
The changing global ecology noted by an
ongoing pattern of unseasonably warm temperatures has contributed to the year-round
presence of ticks. Active K-9s could be at highexposure risk due to the spreading geographical
distribution of ticks. A growing threat to dogs
and people, some tick-borne diseases can be
transmitted as quickly as three to six hours
after a bite.
“The most important factor that will impact
tick prevalence in 2016 will be rainfall,” says
Ed Breitschwerdt, DVM, DACVIM, professor
of medicine and infectious diseases at North
Carolina State University. “Ticks like moist,
warm environments.”
The threat of tickborne diseases has
prompted many veterinarians to screen dogs
annually for infections,
similar to what has been
done for decades for
mosquito-transmitted
heartworm disease. Blood
testing detects
the presence of antibody,
which is one
product of the dog’s immune response against
a pathogen.
Molecular diagnostics, or polymerase
chain reaction (PCR)
testing, detects the
nucleic acid, or DNA,
of the organism itself.
Although PCR testing
was once limited to
university diagnostic
and research laboratories, it is now readily
The AKC Canine Health Foundation has launched the
Tick-Borne Disease Initiative to raise funding for research
to advance the diagnostics, preventives and therapeutics
of tick-transmitted diseases. The American Kennel Club
is matching donations received in 2016 up to $250,000.
Purina and the AKC Canine Health Foundation are longtime partners in helping to advance canine health research
so that dogs may live long, healthy lives.
available through several large commercial diagnostic laboratories.
Veterinarian Jeff Schuett, DVM, DABVP, of
Pewaukee, Wisconsin, routinely tests dogs seen
in his practice for exposure to Lyme disease,
anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis, common ticktransmitted diseases in southeastern Wisconsin.
If he suspects a dog may have an infection,
he will screen for additional diseases.
“We have been monitoring these diseases for 10 years and have found that
5.5 percent of the dogs tested have
been exposed to these diseases,”
says Dr. Schuett. “Lyme disease
and anaplasmosis make up 5
percent. The rest are due to
30 | Canine Courier June 2016
National Training Seminar Photos
Thank you to all the teams,
trainers and supporters of the
training seminar
(Photos ACE K9)
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 31
The Homemade Explosive Used by Brussels
Suicide Bombers is a Chemical Nightmare
W
hile the world mourns
those who died in the attacks in Brussels, hundreds of police throughout Europe and in the U.S. are hard at
work piecing together the terrorists’ plot. One thing Brussels authorities seem to have figured out,
however, is the type of explosives
the suicide bombers set off during
the attacks, TATP.
Frederic Van Leeuw, Belgium’s
chief prosecutor in the case, told
reporters that investigators found
33 pounds of homemade explosives at a house used by the two
bombers who struck Brussels
Airport, according to the Associated Press. Those two explosions,
combined with a third in Belgium’s subway, killed more than
30 people and injured at least 270.
The police also found nails, presumably to serve as shrapnel and
other raw materials for making
explosive vests at the residence,
according to the Chicago Tribune.
The infamous “shoe bomber”
used TATP in 2001, as did terrorists in London in 2005 and 2006.
The chemical was also in bombs
detonated at the University of
Oklahoma in 2005 and Texas City,
Texas, in 2006, according to explosives researchers at Northeastern
University. Before Brussels, it was
most recently used in the November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris.
“TATP and other explosives of
the peroxide family are used extensively by terrorist organizations around the world because
they are easy to prepare and very
difficult to detect,” Ehud Keinan,
a chemist at the Technion-Israel
Institute of Technology, said in a
2005 press release about his research of the chemical.
THE MOTHER
OF SATAN
You might recognize two chemicals in TATP’s full name — triacetone triperoxide — because
they’re ingredients you can find
in your local pharmacy’s cosmetics and first-aid aisles. “TATP can
be easily prepared in a basement
lab using commercially available
starting materials,” according to
GlobalSecurity.org, which also
notes that “it’s easy to blow yourself up when you make it.”
Jimmie Oxley, an explosives
researcher at the University of
Rhode Island, told Tech Insider by
email last year that making TATP
was as easy as “baking a cake.” “We
have done a lot of work trying to
prevent its synthesis,” wrote Oxley, who has experimented with
adding trace chemicals to hydro-
The key explosive ingredient
discovered, Van Leeuw said, is
a compound called triacetone
triperoxide, or TATP, a crystalline powder that is a nightmare
to terrorists as well as authorities.
TATP is easy to make and hard
to detect, but it is also incredibly
unstable. In fact, all it takes is a
firm tap to explode TATP with a
force that’s about 80% as strong
as that of TNT. (That is why it has
gained a reputation as “the Mother of Satan” among terrorists who
make it, according to The Future
of Things.)
32 | Canine Courier June 2016
gen peroxide in hopes of foiling
TATP’s homemade production.
“It isn’t easy to do and the ingredients are very common.”
Chemistry of a nightmare
One reason TATP is difficult
to detect is that it does not contain nitrogen, a key component of
homemade “fertilizer” bombs that
security scanners are now very
good at finding. Each molecule
contains only hydrogen, oxygen,
and carbon—some of the most
common elements on earth—
shaped in a ring. Acetone peroxide triacetone triperoxide TATP.
The explosive power of TATP has
puzzled scientists since its discovery in 1895. Unlike nitrogen-based
bomb materials, which store up
energy as they’re cooked into explosive form, TATP can be made
at room temperature, no flames
required. So where does it get its
explosive energy, if not by heating?
It wasn’t until 2005 that Keinan figured out that detonating
TATP was more like a massive
air blast than a firebomb. When
a crystal of the explosive is rattled hard enough, each solid molecule instantly breaks into four
gas molecules. “Although the gas
is at room temperature, it has the
same density as the solid, and four
times as many molecules, so it
has 200 times the pressure of the
surrounding air,” according to the
release about Keinan and his colleagues’ 2005 study of TATP.
“This enormous pressure—
one-[and-a-half] tons per square
inch— then pushes outward, creating an explosive force” that’s on
par with TNT, the release says. “In
a TATP explosion, the gas molecules give up their energy of motion to the surroundings, in the
A chemical model of triacetone triperoxide, or TATP. It is made of oxygen
(red), carbon (black), and hydrogen (white).
process creating the shock wave
that does the damage.”
Can we detect it?
Scientists are working feverishly to create practical ways to find
TATP before it can be used to
kill innocent people. ACRO Security Technologies, a company
founded by Keinan, has created a
disposable marker-size “peroxide
explosives tester,” or ACRO-P.E.T.
“The ACRO-P.E.T. provides an
immediate answer to whether a
suspicious material that has been
discovered somewhere ...contains
even minute quantities of a peroxide-based explosive,” Keinan
told The Future of Things. Other
researchers are working on ways
to find TATP when it’s being
transported that lack the need for
a direct chemical test like that of
Keinan’s device. In 2011, for example, scientists at Hitachi in Japan created a machine that sucks
in air from around a passenger
and—in two seconds—can sniff
out minute traces of TATP.
A German research group also
announced in 2015 that large
amounts of TATP could be detected in transit. Because the chemical is so touchy, the group says in
its study, it’s usually dissolved in a
special liquid before being moved
around. That fluid’s unique odor is
what they hope security scanners
of the future could sniff out.
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 33
Region 12
WESTERN MINNESOTA
Region 12 – Patrol
Officer Brian Thureson & K9 Gus
Minneapolis Police Department, MN
On the listed date and time, I was working
marked squad 958 along with my Canine Partner Gus who is certified as a Police Patrol Dog
through the United States Canine Association
most recently certified in June of 2015.
I was on patrol in the 5th Precinct just clearing
an alarm call when I overheard on the squad radio 4th Precinct Officers respond to a shots fired
call near 1400 Vincent Avenue North. The caller
a, Courtney, indicated she heard one round be
fired from inside the house. The caller stated her
brother and his girlfriend were in an argument
and she heard one round be fired. She indicated
her brother was known to carry a firearm and
she thought possibly a .22 caliber pistol. She
stated her brother was a Brandon who was
wearing a maroon sweater and black pants. She
then stated that her brother left in a tan van last
seen westbound on 14th Avenue North.
A short time later, squad 410 indicated they
observed a tan van bearing Minnesota license
plate XXX-TXP. Squad 410 attempted a suspicious vehicle stop related to the shots fired.
This vehicle fled from squad 410. This pursuit
went on for quite a while all over the Northside
Precinct.
I began to head to the area from the south
side and I notified dispatch of this. I was traveling westbound Interstate 94 when I overheard
the pursuit enter onto to eastbound Interstate
94. I turned around near Olson Memorial Highway and went back eastbound. I heard that
the pursuit went southbound Interstate 35W
and then exited onto the 35th Street East exit.
The pursuit entered the 3rd Precinct. I traveled
eastbound on 36th Street where I observed the
suspect vehicle go northbound on Clinton Avenue South and then back eastbound on 35th
Street.
I traveled eastbound on 36th Street. I then
heard squad 410 air that the suspect vehicle
was southbound on Chicago Avenue South and
black male wearing dark clothing was fleeing
on foot eastbound. I proceeded to this location
where I spoke with Officer Gregory. He indicated they had a female in custody from the
vehicle. The male suspect was last seen fleeing
on foot eastbound and there was no firearm located inside of the vehicle. The driver’s side of
the vehicle was also open when they happened
upon the vehicle.
I then assembled a cover team and placed
Gus on a 15 foot tracking leash. I went to the
area where the suspect was last seen running.
I gave a loud verbal announcement stating, Police Canine, give yourself up or you will be bit
by the dog.” I waited a period of time and repeated the same announcement. I received no
response. I advised my cover team that since
there was a shot fired at 1400 Vincent Avenue North, the suspect a Brandon Coyour was
known to carry a gun and one was not located
in the vehicle which he fled from that we would
conduct the track with Gus being allowed to
search a full 15 feet in front of us.
The reason for this was to allow Gus to clear
the area in front of us since a firearm was
used/mentioned in this case and as it related
to Officer Safety. I advised my cover team to
stay tight together.
I commanded Gus to track and he picked up
the track right away track eastbound from the
scene. He tracked across Elliot Avenue South
near 3521. He tracked into the rear yard and
into the alley. K9 Gus then tracked into the rear
yard of 3516 10th Avenue South where I saw
him go under a deck in the rear yard. I maintained a positon of cover with the leash in my
hand. Once Gus disappeared under the deck, I
heard a person yell audibly. I ordered the suspect to show his hands and to crawl out from
under the deck. With one one of cover officers
assisting me, I looked under the deck and could
see Gus apprehending the suspect on what appeared to be he buttock area. I gave several
loud clear orders for the suspect to crawl out
with his hands up.
After a brief period of time, both Gus and the
suspect emerged out from under the deck.
When I could see both of the suspect’s hands,
I immediately removed Gus off of the suspect
where he was taken into custody by my cover Officers. This suspect was identified as a
BRANDON. I ordered an ambulance for him.
Photographs were taken of the apprehension
site. SGT GREAVES was notified of my involvement in this case. I completed an Officers Use
of Force Report. I also notified my direct Supervisor’s Stender and McCree. Officers located
the suspect’s discarded pistol. He was subsequently charged with 2nd Degree Domestic
Assault, Weapons, Flee Police in Motor Vehicle,
Kidnapping and Terroristic Threats.
Region 12 – Detector
Sgt. Wade M Lerfald & K9 Vinny
Douglas County Sherriff’s Office, MN
On 02/05/2016 I, Sgt. Wade M Lerfald, responded to Interstate 94 near Mile Marker 100
upon request of SA Kruse of the West Central
Minnesota Drug Task Force. SA Kruse had information that an occupant of MN Lic 513LTR
(White and Black Dodge Dart) had several Felony warrants and may be armed.
Trooper Ras was able to stop the vehicle prior to my arrival. I observed two occupants, a
female driver and a male passenger. Trooper
Ras was speaking to the driver (later identified
as Laura Elizabeth Emerson) as I attempted to
watch the passenger through illegally tinted
windows. I observed the male driver to be on
his phone texting but was unable to see what
he was sending.
Trooper Ras went back to his squad to run the
female driver and returned shortly and inquired
as to her real name. As I was standing near the
driver’s window I could smell an overwhelming
scent of men’s cologne. I also observed Emerson holding several suckers in her hands and
she was acting very nervous and was fidgeting
with her hands.
Trooper Ras went back to his squad with
another name she had given him and I asked
him if he wanted Emerson back at his vehicle
and he said he did. I approached the driver’s
side again and asked Emerson to step back to
Trooper Ras’s squad so he could speak to her
about her false names and possibly a citation.
Emerson was very reluctant to exit the vehicle
and wanted to remain there with her purse.
Eventually Emerson did exit and was told
to leave her purse in the car. Once Emerson
exited, the male passenger volunteered a ND
34 | Canine Courier June 2016
Region 12
Driver’s License to me in the name of Justin
Cal Gabriel. The male passenger stated that he
had a valid driver’s license. I had my dispatch
run this DL and was told the party was clear.
I observed several cell phones in the vehicle
and it appeared that the male passenger was in
possession of at least two phones.
I was told by BCA Agent Steve Parchal that the
male party was Joshua Clarence Young and the
ID he gave me was not him.
SA Parchal was standing with a Task Force
Agent from NDBCI who knew the party. I was
speaking with Young when I was told that he
may be armed and have a fanny pack on. I
was unable to see a fanny pack since Young’s
lap was continually covered by a pillow and
blanket. I grabbed his left arm and secured it
while other deputies removed Young from the
car and placed him in hand cuffs.
SA Parchal now had a photo of Young on his
cell phone and held it next to him to positively
WESTERN MINNESOTA
ID Young. As the passenger door was open I
observed a garbage bag on the floor with a
large amount of garbage in it.
Both parties stated they had been in the
metro area the night before and stayed one
night. Young told me earlier that he had been
driving and switched with Emerson just before
Alexandria. This was a false statement since
SA Kruse had been following the vehicle prior
to Alexandria.
At this time I determined there to be criminal
activity afoot and removed my USPCA Narcotics
Certified K9 and directed him to do a narcotic
sniff of the suspect vehicle. I presented
the front passenger corner to K9 Vinny and
he immediately pulled me around the corner
to the passenger side and then to the ditch
area.
The wind at this time was approximately 15
mph out of the south and was blowing from
the driver’s side across to the passenger side.
I continued around the driver’s side of the
vehicle having K9 Vinny detail as we moved.
The passenger door was still open and K9
Vinny wanted to pull inside the vehicle. I closed
the door and continued my exterior search. K9
Vinny came back to the passenger side of the
vehicle and indicated at the passenger side
front door seam by changing his breathing
pattern and going to a final response of a sit
indicating to me that he was in narcotic odor.
I had K9 Vinny detail the vehicle again at
different heights than that of the first search.
I reported my observations to SA Parchal. I
was informed later in the day that a search
warrant was executed on the vehicle in which
60.6 grams of methamphetamine were
located along with 6.6 grams of psilocybin
mushrooms and $28,511 in US currency. K9
Vinny is both nationally and regionally certified
in the detection of Narcotics through the United
States Police Canine Association.
Region 14
REGION 14 Detector
CASE OF THE QUARTER
Deputy Bradley Bengford
& K-9 Nash
El Paso Co. Sheriff’s Office,
El Paso Co., Colorado
On March 4, 2016, Deputy Bradley Bengford and his K-9 Partner
Nash were assisting the El Paso
County and Colorado Springs
Metro Vice and Narcotics Unit with
a case that involved transporting
illegal narcotics. Deputy Bengford
was asked to help conduct a traffic stop and also utilize K-9 Nash
to conduct a sniff of the vehicle. As
is usual with these types of cases
there was a waiting period for the
vehicle to come into the area and
then stops can only be made if
Probable Cause develops to warrant a traffic stop.
Deputy Bengford started working
this operation at approximately
11:SS hours.
After a lengthy
wait he was
informed that
the vehicle had
entered
the
area and prior
to his making
contact, officers
from a sister
agency developed probable cause to pull the
vehicle over. It was now approximately 16:08 hours when Deputy
Bengford and K-9 Nash arrived on
scene of the traffic stop.
Deputy Bengford deployed K-9
Nash to conduct a K-9 sniff of the
suspects Chevy Tahoe. They started on the exterior of the vehicle at
the passenger side head lamp and
working Their way towards the
driver’s side and ending at the rear
of the vehicle. K-9 Nash worked
underneath the driver’s seat area
checking seams with a lot of
COLORADO
excitement and
slight change
of
behavior
that
Deputy
Bengford sees
when K-9 Nash
has located an
odor of illegal
narcotics. They
continued their
pattern around
the passenger side of the vehicle. K-9 Nash’s behavior changed
again when they approached the
front passenger door. He started to
wag his tail in an excited manner,
closed his mouth and focused his
sniffing on the front passenger side
door seam along the center post of
the Chevy Tahoe. K-9 Nash then
gave Deputy Bengford a focused
response to the odor of an illegal
narcotic on this door seam. Deputy
Bengford recognized this type of
behavior when K-9 Nash has located illegal narcotics. The Team con-
June 2016
tinued around the vehicle and K-9
Nash was placed inside the Chevy
Tahoe. K-9 Nash’s behavior again
changed as he sniffed the bottom
of the back side of the center console from the rear passenger side
floorboard of the Chevy Tahoe. K-9
Nash continued to work around the
center console with his change of
behavior and gave Deputy Bengford a focused response to odor
of an illegal narcotic on the bottom
seam of the center console. K-9
Nash continued his sniff and his
change of behavior and worked the
area of the center console where
the drink holders are located. K-9
Nash gave Deputy Bengford a focused response to odor of an illegal
narcotic in the area of the drink
holder on the center console. K-9
Nash sniffed the remainder of the
Chevy Tahoe completing a detailed
sniff for the requesting agency.
Information of the focused response to odor was provided to
www.uspcak9.com | 35
Region 14
the requesting agency. Underneath the drink
holders searching officers located 212 grams
of heroin concealed inside the center console.
212 grams of heroin has a street value of
$23,320.00. Hidden with the heroin was an unknown amount of U.S. Currency. Officers were
able to recover the heroin and currency for evidence and the driver was taken into custody.
I am submitting Deputy Bradley Bengford and
K-9 Nash for case of the quarter based on their
ability to assist the Metro Vice and Narcotics
Unit. They remained with the team for over
four hours while this case developed. Deputy
Bengford’s patience and efforts resulted in the
removal of a large quantity of Heroin from the
streets keeping the residents of El Paso County,
Colorado, Colorado Spring safer.
Deputy Bengford and K-9 Nash’s attention
to detail is a testament to the professionalism
needed to continue the unrelenting war on
drugs in our communities.
Region 14 Patrol
Sgt. Nate Hill & K9 Charlie
Burlington Police Department
Burlington, CO
On Saturday, February 27, 2016 at approximately 1:26 am, after receiving a telephone call
from dispatch while off duty, I, Sgt. Nate Hill,
responded to the 100 block of Madison Street
with my Police K-9 Charlie to track a suspect
that had run from a traffic stop.
Prior to my arrival I asked Officer Foster to establish a perimeter around the area the suspect
was believed to be in. Officer Foster and other
officers established the perimeter prior to my arrival. Officer Foster explained to me that he had
COLORADO
stopped a car and learned that (redacted suspect) had been drinking alcoholic beverages and
that (redacted suspect) had an active protection
order which restrained (redacted suspect) from
consuming alcoholic beverages. Officer Foster
said that when he began to walk around to the
side of the car (redacted suspect) was on to talk
to (redacted suspect, further identified as X), X
got out and ran west and Officer Foster last saw
(redacted suspect) running west on the south
side of the Burlington Scout Center. This was at
approximately 1:01am.
After Officer Foster showed me the area where
X had run I deployed K-9 Charlie and K-9 Charlie
and I tracked (redacted suspect) west towards
the middle school. K-9 Charlie was particularly
interested in a recessed comer of the building
near the entrance on the south side of the building. This led me to believe that X had possibly
hidden there for a short time. K-9 Charlie continued to track X around the south side of the
Middle School and then north a few hundred
yards towards the trees south of Senter West
Apartments and the track ended on the west
side of Burlington Manor Apartment’s west building (2505 Senter Avenue). The total track was
approximately one mile to where we stopped
tracking. Once we came to the south parking lot
of 2505 Senter I informed Officer Foster that X’s
sister) likely is still living in west building at 2505
Senter Ave and that X likely ran there.
Officer Foster and I returned to our vehicles
and I put K-9 Charlie back in my patrol vehicle.
Officer Foster and I looked up the tenant list for
Burlington Manor and found that (name redacted) was living at 2505 Senter (apartment # redacted.) At approximately 0210hrs Officer Foster, Deputy Laverenz and I went to 2505 Senter
Region 19
I heard someone running up the stairs. I told
Officer Foster and Deputy Laverenz that X was
coming up to the apartment and we waited in
the living/ dining room for about I 0 seconds.
Shortly after, X came walking through the door
into (suspect’s sister’s) apartment. X looked
surprised to see the Police standing in his
sister’s living room. I recognized X from previous incidents. Deputy Laverenz instructed X to
show his hands and I gained control of X placing his hands behind his back. Officer Foster
placed handcuffs on (redacted suspect’s) wrists
and conducted a search of X person incident
to arrest. While we were taking (redacted suspect) into custody I could smell a strong odor of
an alcoholic beverage emitting from X breath
and I noticed that his speech was slurred and
difficult to understand when he spoke to us. X
was transported to the Kit Carson County Jail
for booking. While at the jail I noticed that X
eyes were extremely bloodshot.
MICHIGAN • CANADA
Region 19
End of Watch – Brother Dave Walker
Region 19
Constable Rick Bertok & K9 Arry
Sadly Region 19 and the USPCA have lost a Chatham-Kent Police Service
brother, Dave Walker. Dave passed away the 1st Quarter Patrol
week of May 9, 2016 after battling cancer. A celebration of Dave’s life was held on May 24, 2016
in Oakville, Ontario Canada. Expressions of sympathy, donations to Princess Margaret Hospital
Foundation – Pancreatic Cancer Research would
be appreciated by his family and friends.
(apartment # redacted.). As we approached the
door (suspect’s sister) was already at the door.
(X’s sister aka suspects sister) was wearing pajamas and looked like she’d just woken up. We
asked (suspect’s sister) if (redacted suspect)
was inside. (Suspect’s sister) paused looked
behind her and said no. We asked (suspect’s
sister) if she would mind if we came in and
looked for X to be sure. (Suspect’s sister) said
that was fine. I waited with (suspect’s sister)
near the front door while Deputy Laverenz and
Officer Foster searched for (redacted suspect)
throughout the apartment. Once they’d cleared
the apartment, we asked (suspect’s sister)
when the last time she saw X was. (Suspect’s
sister) said X was in her apartment a few minutes ago.
On March 13, 2016 Cst. Bertok and K9 Arry
were called to assist another member of the
Chatham-Kent Police who was attempting to pull
over a vehicle that was not stopping for him. The
vehicle did not slow down even when the police
vehicles emergency lights were activated, and it
was estimated that the suspect reached speeds
in excess of 80km/h in a 50km/h zone. The suspect lost control of his truck as he reached a bend
in the road, and ended up off the roadway alongside train tracks.
When the vehicle came to a stop, the two suspects inside the truck fled on foot. Cst. Bertok
maintained visual on the driver of the vehicle and
attempted to block him with his police vehicle in
a neighboring business parking lot. Unfortunately
the suspect was able to move around the back-
36 | Canine Courier June 2016
Region 19
side of the vehicle and continued to pick up speed
and gain distance on Cst. Bertok. At that time, Cst.
Bertok deployed K9 Arry to his side, commanded
to the suspect to stop, and warned the suspect
that he would release his Police K9 if he did not
comply with his commands. The suspect failed
to comply and continued to run. He was now 50
feet ahead of Cst. Bertok and K9 Arry. Police K9
Arry was given the command to apprehend the
suspect, and he was successfully apprehended a
short distance later and taken into custody without further incident.
Once the driver was in custody, Cst. Bertok and
K9 Arry drove to the location where the second
suspect was last seen fleeing from the vehicle.
Cst. Bertok deployed K9 Arrry with his police
tracking harness and long line. They began tracking the second suspect through neighborhood
back yards. The team reached a fence and K9
Arry indicated that the suspect jumped the fence.
Cst. Bertok and K9 Arry safely jumped the fence
and noticed fresh shoe impressions in the wet
dirt that were consistent with their current track.
They continued tracking through backyards, up a
sidewalk, and eventually to a parking lot of several apartment complexes. The officers began to
knock on several of the apartment doors and a
MICHIGAN • CANADA
witness informed them that they heard someone
run into apartment #1. Several knocks were made
on the door of apartment #1, noises were heard
from inside the apartment, but unfortunately nobody would answer the door.
The officers suspended their search at that time,
however a week later they were able to return
to the same location and apprehend the second
suspect whose shoes were comparable to the
pone found the initial track. The suspect was taken into custody and was subsequently charged.
Region 19
PSO Doug Hubbell & K9 Duke
Kalamazoo Department
of Public Safety
1st Quarter Narcotics Catch
On January 29, 2016 PSO Hubbell and K9 Duke
were requested to respond to a Fed-Ex facility in
a neighboring town. A free air sniff was requested
on a Fed-Ex package that had arrived to the facility and was going to a known address in Kalamazoo. When PSO Hubbell and K9 Duke arrived they
found four packages lined up on the floor against
a cement wall. Neither PSO Hubbell of K9 Duke
was aware of which package was in question.
K9 Duke was deployed and given the command
to find the odor of narcotics. PSO Hubbell worked
K9 Duke along a wall prior to the row of packages
and then worked their way to the row of 4 packages. K9 Duke then sniffed each package the first
time through, and on the reverse pattern of the
sniff, K9 Duke alerted to the odor of narcotics on
a package. PSO Hubbell advised the investigator
that K9 Duke had alerted to a specific package.
At that time, the investigator advised PSO Hubbell
that the package K9 Duke alerted on was in fact
the package in question.
Following PSO Hubbell and K9 Duke’s find a
search warrant was obtained and they were informed that approximately fifteen pounds of marijuana was found inside the suspicious package.
The investigators then obtained a search warrant
for the address the packing was going to be delivered to, and a controlled delivery and search
warrant execution followed. During this search
warrant an additional 3 pounds of marijuana, 7
grams of heroin, and a handgun were seized.
Due to K9 Duke’s positive alert on the original
suspicious package, investigators were able to
seize a large amount of illegal narcotics and take
a handgun off the streets.
Region 21
IOWA
USPCA Region 21 Detection Dog Trial Results
Region 21 held their annual Detection Dog Certification Trials in Manchester, Iowa on April 11th, 12th and 13th. The following awards were
given during that event: Congratulations to all!
Also, congratulations to the Region 21 Game Dog Certification : Shane
Griebel from Iowa DNR!
1st place overall: Tyler Bos from Osceola CO SO
Detection Case award winners:
2nd place overall: Darin Fay from Woodbury Co So
Jan through June 2015: Brad Comer from Manchester PD
3rd place overall: Alycia Peterson from Des Moines PD
July through Dec 201: Corey Utech from Crawford Co SO
Rooms:
Detection Case of the year: Tony Ballantini from Des Moines PD
1st place: Adam Nerlien from Wright Co SO
Patrol Case award winners:
2nd place: Damon Van Bogart from Iowa DOC
Jan through June 2015: Corey Utech from Crawford Co SO
3rd place: Tony Reitsma from Sioux County SO
July through Dec 2015: Cordell Miller from Des Moines PD
Vehicles:
Patrol Case of the year: Thomas Watson from Marshalltown PD
1st place: Brett Gannon from Cherokee PD
2nd place: Rob VerMeer from Lyon County SO
3rd place: Brett Wilson from Winnebago Co SO
Top Rookie dog: Kelly Stuhr from Des Moines PD
Region 21 also gave out case awards for 2015:
New Region 21 President
Remove Mr. Mark Miller and replace with:
James Bauerly, 4213 46th Street Place, Sioux City, IA 51108
Cell 712-253-6911 • Email: [email protected]
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 37
38 | Canine Courier June 2016
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 39
40 | Canine Courier June 2016
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 41
Trainer’s Corner
44 | Canine Courier June 2016
Trainer’s Corner
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 45
Trainer’s Corner
46 | Canine Courier June 2016
Trainer’s Corner
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 47
Trainer’s Corner
48 | Canine Courier June 2016
Trainer’s Corner
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 49
Trainer’s Corner
50 | Canine Courier June 2016
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 51
52 | Canine Courier June 2016
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 53
END
WATCH
of
K9 Blaze
December 2015 – Officer Benn Colecchia
NYPD – Region 7
K9 Ogar
January 19, 2016 –
Smith Co. Constables
Office, TX. K9 Ogar
was shot and killed
while attempting an
apprehension of a
subject who was in a
stolen automobile.
K9 Kobus
January 23, 2016 –
Omaha Police Department, NE. K9 Kobus
was shot and killed
while attempting to
apprehend a subject
who had barricaded
himself inside of his
home.
K9 Jag
January 20, 2016 –
Twin Rivers Unified
School District Police,
CA. K9 Jag was struck
by a vehicle.
K9 Jojo
January 6, 2016 –
San Bernardino Co.
Sheriff ’s Office, CA.
K9 Jojo died after
choking on an object
that became accidentally lodged in his
throat while he and
his handler were conducting a search of a
warehouse. K9 Jojo’s
partner’s in an attempt to dislodge the
object had his right
pinky finger amputated while trying to
save K9 Jojo’s life.
K9 Krijer
January 11, 2016 –
Norfolk Police Department, VA. K9
Krijger was shot and
killed by an armed
subject following
a violent barricade
situation.
K9 Riki
July 1, 2015 - Sgt. Brison was matched up with Riki at Global Training Academy in
San Antonio, TX, February of 2009. They have competed & participated in USPCA
events, garnering Top Dog honors and narc certifications. God’s speed old friend.
54 | Canine Courier June 2016
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 55
56 | Canine Courier June 2016
June 2016
www.uspcak9.com | 57
Canine
Courier
Business & Editorial Offices
410 Norfolk Rd.
Flourtown, PA 19031
58 | Canine Courier June 2016