Wauconda police dog lauded for winning ‘Canine Olympics’
It’s said that every dog has his day, but how many get two days?
Maxx, a German shepherd in the Wauconda K-9 unit and his handler Sgt. John Combs were recognized during Tuesday’s Wauconda village board meeting for winning the Canine Olympics in August. They finished first in individual and team contests.
It marked the second time the duo has won the olympics – the first was in 2008.
The Canine Olympics include events meant to test the handler and the dog working together in all areas of police work. Some events are physically challenging while others, such as a 10-element hidden evidence event, are mentally strenuous.
“Everything we do on the job is tested,” Combs said.
That includes shooting, driving and obedience. Combs said there may not be any way to prepare for the events aside from job training and experience.
“It’s physically demanding for the officer as well as the canine,” he said
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Chattanooga Cadets learn ropes
New Chattanooga police cadets got a toothy welcome to the department Wednesday during the second week of their academy training.
Cadets, wearing a protective “bite suit,” took turns screaming, running, then being tackled and bitten by police dogs.
The trainees spent a day “building confidence” at the Ooltewah High School ROTC course, performing physical training drills, running the obstacle course and training with K-9 officers.
“This is to get them confidence in themselves and their class,” said Lt. Stan Allen, training director.
This is the first Chattanooga police academy in two years. The police department has about 420 officers, or 65 officers short of what officials say they need. In addition, more than 40 officers are eligible to retire at any time, Chief Bobby Dodd said.
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Hollywood pros hope to set series in Modesto
We’ve heard it and read it ad nauseam:
Modesto is one of the nation’s armpits. Forbes Magazine says so periodically in its least-desirable cities listings. Men’s Health once ranked the valley as one of the best places to be obese, out of shape and have a heart attack.
We’re the meth capital of the world, and have led the nation in auto thefts.
So when a Hollywood TV producer approached the Modesto police and other city officials about doing a program that would show the department and the city in a positive light and improve its image, it wasn’t exactly the world’s toughest sell — as in, “how soon can you start filming?”
Award-winning film editor Michael Glickman and business partner Chris Flores have spent the past several weeks in Modesto shooting footage for a “sizzle.” That’s the TV industry’s term for the clip they’ll shop to the networks in hopes of getting the OK for a pilot that could turn into a series. In 2008, Glickman received an American Cinematic Editors “Eddie” award for his work on “Cops,” the Fox reality show he spent 15 years editing and producing.
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Cop dog buries badge
Tyler Graf / The South County Spotlight RETIRED PUP – St. Helens Police Officer Jon Eggers and his former partner on the K-9 unit, Bosco, have created a close bond during their seven years together. Now retired, Bosco has become the family pet for the Eggers family.
In clichéd cop movie parlance, Bosco, the 10-year-old beloved police dog, is simply getting too old for this stuff. After seven years of literally sniffing out bad guys as the canine half of St. Helens’ K-9 unit, Bosco officially retired last week.
During his tenure, Bosco helped bring more than 90 criminals to justice, all while keeping his partner in law enforcement, Officer Jon Eggers, safe. In doing so, the two partners formed a lasting bond.
The bond is based on trust, on loyalty and above all, Eggers says, on a near-telepathic connection to each other.
