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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Atlantic City Police Dogs Excel At Regional Competition

K9 officers and their 4-legged partners were put to the test at Stockton College in a competition that sent K9′s jumping over obstacles, obeying commands and even finding missing persons. It’s all to assess skills that officials say K9 teams need while on patrol.

“Its similar to what they complete on the streets or apply on the street, obedience, agility, article search, and the suspect search,” said K9 Police Region 15 President Joe Nicholas.

Teams from departments all over South Jersey are trying to excel and impress a strict group of judges. In this competition it’s not about winning, but about meeting a tough national standard. “All of the officers here are looking for a score of approximately 490 that gives them certification by the United States Police K9 that they are a good team,” said Nicholas.

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Five police officers graduate from Elmira’s new training center

The Elmira Regional Public Safety Training Center, run by Elmira Police, graduated its first five cadets Friday.

Cadets were enrolled in the basic course for police officers from Jan. 18 to May 14.

The graduates and their associated law enforcement agencies are:

Elmira Police Officer Jacob V. Allard, Elmira Officer Justin W. Baer, Trumansburg Officer Jacob P. Kelly, Elmira Officer David J. Miller and Steuben County Sheriff’s Deputy Carter J. Payne.

Also honored during the ceremony were retired Elmira Deputy Chief David C. Gardner and Tammy Jo Churches for their efforts in forming the new training center.

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A day with Sheriff Grady Judd

It’s daybreak in Polk County.

Sheriff Grady Judd has been up for hours and is already out meeting some longtime residents. Judd is the keynote speaker at a prayer breakfast in Auburndale.

He has arrived earlier than necessary because he was told the breakfast would start at 7a.m. when in fact it begins at 7:30.

An early start doesn’t bother him much because there are people who have arrived already just to get the chance to see him.

They’re lining up, hoping to shake his hand or to thank him for his service.

He stands at the door of the civic center and, one by one, greets folks as if they are old friends.

They are pleased as punch to see the sheriff in person.

Sheriff Judd is like a movie star in these parts.

One man tells us, “He’s a modern day John Wayne and Clint Eastwood and a couple of those guys all rolled into one.”

A woman exclaims, “Oh, he’s a legend.”

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Super SWAT Cops: Ionia Complex ERT dominates at national competition

Ionia Complex Emergency Response Team (ERT) went to Moundsville, W.Va., to participate in a nationwide mock prison riot competition with several other teams from Michigan to form the Michigan ERT team. Overall, the Michigan ERT team took second place, and three Ionia corrections officers ranked high in an individual obstacle course called “Super SWAT Cop.”

“I am just really proud of our three guys,” said Ionia Complex ERT Captain Lt. Patrick Nielsen. “Our team is a group of very dedicated individuals, and have a lot of pride in what we do.”

Ionia Complex ERT members competing included   Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility’s Clint Slusser, placing second; Michigan Reformatory’s Scott Grinnell, placing fifth; and Michigan Reformatory’s Aaron Patrick, placing 22.

The Super SWAT Cop obstacle course required individual tested team members’ skill in target shooting, speed and knowledge.

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Fallen Officers Honored at Memorial Parade in Cleveland

Fallen officers were honored for making the ultimate sacrifice in Cleveland Friday.

Thousands of police officers from departments across Northeast Ohio marched down Lakeside Avenue in Cleveland. The annual parade is to remember fellow police officers who have died while serving and protecting their communities.

Showing strength and poise, the teenaged daughters of 43-year-old Elyria patrolman James Kerstetter, who was shot to death March 15, walked to honor their dad.

“It’s been tough but it gets easier, and like the constant support you get, it’s good, it makes you feel better. He really helped a lot of people and stuff, so it’s good to know that people still care,” said daughter Misty Kerstetter.

“I really like coming to ceremonies and see how many people are honoring, people should really just keep honoring them because police officers do so much for their community,” said daughter Shelby Kerstetter.

The parade was followed by a Memorial Service, that included the dedication of a renovated Peace Officers Memorial.

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Police dogs spend week training their noses at Bellingham conference

Klickitat County Sheriff’s Deputy Ed Gunnyon said his police dog, a 31/2-year-old black lab named Jet, never ceases to bring energy and enthusiasm to rooting out hidden drugs with his nose.

But even the most eager of drug-sniffing dogs and their handlers can use ongoing training, which is why Gunnyon, Jet and dozens of others came to Bellingham this week for the Pacific Northwest Police Detection Dog Association’s 12th annual conference.

Gunnyon and Jet participated in field exercises at six sites around the city; each was designed to get the dog accustomed to sniffing out hidden drugs in a different environment.

Gunnyon also had the chance to partake in classroom exercises and share information and experiences with fellow handlers
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Consistency, success with K-9 unit earn recognition for this ‘Officer of the Year’

The North Smithfield Police Department Officer of the Year may seem to have a worse bark than bite, but his partner certainly doesn’t.

K-9 Officer Jared Salinaro, selected as North Smithfield Police Department's 2009 Officer of the Year, gives his fellow crime fighter, Vasko, a good scratch behind the ears. Salinaro has been with the department since 2002 and helped to re-establish the K-9 program. Valley Breeze photo by Brenna McCabe

Officer Jared Salinaro, the department’s only K-9 officer, was honored at last week’s Town Council meeting as 2009 Officer of the Year.

Police Chief Steven Reynolds said Salinaro had an impressive, and more importantly, consistent record with the department. The officer recorded 65 arrests – the record for 2009 – 53 K-9 deployments and zero sick days in 2009. Much like his canine friend, 4-year-old Vasko, Reynolds said Salinaro always brought “high energy” to his daily duties.

“All of the officers, they’re all doing a good job,” Reynolds said. “But what we look for is consistency. He’s extremely consistent in his duties and he’s a high-performing officer. This award doesn’t go out for any one particular case.”

Salinaro was nominated through the command staff, Reynolds said, and no one was allowed to nominate someone under his or her direct command. The chief added the staff looked at all aspects of the officers’ service, including public service.

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