From routine patrols to explosives detection, K-9 unit helps keep BART riders safe

Tim seemed to be getting a little restless. He paced a bit on the platform, unfazed by the trains screeching through Lake Merritt Station and the cameras filming the scene.

“He wants to work,” explained  Officer Mike Zendejas of his partner, a 95-pound German shepherd with big paws, alert eyes and lots of energy.  Zendejas and Tim are one of eight handler/dog teams in the BART Police K-9 unit.

BART, like many large public transportation systems, has used patrol dogs for years as a visible deterrent to crime and to assist officers responding to reports of crimes. ”The presence of a dog is usually enough,” said Sgt. Jason Ledford, supervisor of BART’s K-9 unit and a former handler himself. “Most people don’t want to challenge the dog. Ultimately, it keeps the person that we’re dealing with safer and it keeps the handler safer, because we’re not involved in having to physically apprehend someone.”

BART began using canines for police work in the early 1970s, and the unit took on different forms over the years.  But since the terrorist acts of Sept. 11, 2001, and subsequent bombings in subway systems from Madrid to Moscow, the dogs’ role has expanded to another important area – explosives detection. Half the dogs in BART’s unit serve as general patrol dogs and are cross-trained in explosives detection; the other half work full-time on explosives detection, through a program funded by the Transportation Security Administration.

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Lifetime of loyalty: Cemetery final resting place of K-9 patrol dogs

It’s often said that man’s best friend is his dog, and that bond is even more special between police officers and their canine partners.

“They are probably the best partners you can have. They take care of you, and you take care of them,” said Lt. Everette Johnson, commander of the Montgomery Police Department’s K-9 unit.

In addition to being great partners to rely on when chasing down fleeing criminals, they’re also great companions.

“They treat you just as good as your home pets do,” he said.

Johnson’s own canine partner is a patrol dog named Nero.

Nero jumped to his hind legs recently and put his paws up against the chain-link door of his run as Johnson approached. As Johnson stroked his nose, Nero seemed like the mildest of house pets.

Once Johnson was about 10 feet away, Nero reverted back to a jumping, barking whirl of energy — a menacing sight, especially for a fleeing criminal.

The most rewarding thing about the job, Johnson said, is seeing the months of work training a dog pay off when the dog performs its commands on duty.

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Top dogs: Police K-9 awards are announced

The Working Dog Foundation’s eighth annual Handlers’ Appreciation Dinner celebrated their officers and K-9 partners, as well as the volunteers who have supported the foundation.

Highlights of the May 10 event included the drill of ceremony by the Portsmouth Police Explorers, an invocation by the Rev. Angelo Pappas, the national anthem sung by Detective Krystin Bernier, master of ceremonies WDF Chairman Mark Ericson and a stand-up comedy routine by Juston McKinney.

Awards were presented to the following:

Narcotic Case of the Year: Officer Keith MacKenzie and K-9 Fina from Rochester police. Also, officer Adam Laurent and K-9 JJ from Seabrook police.

Patrol Case of the Year: Officer Scott Pearl and K-9 Wess from Portsmouth police.

Handler of the Year: Eric Kinsman and K-9 Titan from Portsmouth police.

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