K-9 Unit
Two highly trained, nationally certified K-9 teams are comprised of one dog and a police officer handler and a specially equipped patrol vehicle. Dogs selected for K-9 duty are professionally bred German Shepherds and must pass an extensive medical screening by a veterinarian prior to being accepted for the unit. In addition to patrol duties, K-9’s are certified to track criminal suspects and lost persons, search buildings, locate evidence or lost property, detect narcotics or uncover explosives, handler protection, and suspect apprehensions.
With the assistance and support of the citizens and area businesses, the K-9 Unit was started in July of 2002. The unit consists of two K-9 teams. Officer Franks is the handler for Chaos and Officers Swanson is the handler for Bulzi.
Chaos is a German Shepherd that was born in the Czech Republic. Officer Franks and Chaos are trained in Handler Protection, Tracking, Building Searches, Article Searches, Suspect Apprehension, Obedience, and Explosives detection.
Bulzi is a German Shepherd born in Germany. Officers Swanson and Bulzi are trained in Handler Protection, Tracking, Building Searches, Article Searches, Suspect Apprehension, Obedience, and Narcotics Detection.
Both Teams are internationally certified through the North American Police Working Dog Association. When not at work, Chaos and Bulzi live at home with their handlers.
In 2008 the K-9 units were involved with the following:
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K-9 UNITS
|
2008
|
2007
|
CHANGE FROM 07
|
|
Incidents Handled
|
140
|
170
|
-18%
|
|
Tracks
|
57
|
60
|
-5%
|
|
Building Searches
|
16
|
12
|
33%
|
|
Area Searches
|
15
|
9
|
67%
|
|
Demonstrations
|
12
|
28
|
-57%
|
|
K-9 NARCOTICS DETECTIONS
|
2008
|
2007
|
CHANGE FROM 07
|
|
Vehicles Searched
|
107
|
43
|
149%
|
|
Buildings Searched
|
10
|
8
|
25%
|
Recovered 40.20 grams of marijuana, .8 grams of heroin, 3.10 grams of powdered cocaine, 3.2 grams of rock cocaine.
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K-9 BOMB SEARCHES
|
2008
|
2007
|
CHANGE FROM 07
|
|
Vehicles Searched
|
0
|
4
|
-400%
|
|
Areas Searched
|
0
|
1
|
-100%
|
Since their joining the department, Chaos and Bulzi have enhanced the Department's abilities to protect and serve the community. For example, Officer Swanson and Bulzi located a 3-year-old boy that had wandered away from home into a 400-acre woodlot, during inclement weather. This likely saved the child from hypothermia. They have also located evidence, which resulted in the arrest of a purse-snatcher. Officer Franks and Chaos followed a track left by burglary suspects right to the suspects' home, resulting in arrests and recovery of the stolen items. They also were able to chase down and arrest a robbery suspect and later locate the money that had been hidden by him. Both teams regularly put on numerous demonstrations for school children and organizations.