Pubdate: Sat, 21 Sep 2002
Source: Kansas City Star (MO)
Copyright: 2002 The Kansas City Star
Contact:  http://www.kcstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/221
Author: Melodee Hall Blobaum, Special to The Star
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

LENEXA COUNCIL HONORS RETIRING POLICE DOG By MELODEE HALL BLOBAUM

Two of the gifts presented to a retiring member of the Lenexa Police 
Department at Tuesday's City Council meeting were exactly what you might 
expect: a certificate commending her faithful service and a reproduction 
badge on a chain.

The pre-chewed pager, however, indicated this was no ordinary retiree. 
Rather, it was Reza, the department's drug dog who was retiring after nine 
years service.

Reza didn't offer any long-winded retirement speeches and seemed as 
interested in the pager as in her certificate and badge. Which is to say, 
not interested at all, given the availability of the foot-long length of 
PVC pipe that is her customary reward for a job well done.

Police Chief Ellen Hanson presented Reza with the gifts, with the 
assistance of Council President Amy Slater.

Hanson said Reza had recovered more drugs and seen more action than any 
other dog in the history of the city's canine corps, which currently has 
three dogs.

"She's pretty outstanding," Hanson said.

Capt. Steve Smith elaborated on Reza's accomplishments. Since her purchase 
for $4,500 in January 1994, the pooch assisted the department and other 
area law enforcement agencies in uncovering and recovering thousands of 
dollars worth of goods and property. She nosed out 5,608 pounds of 
marijuana, 3 kilograms of cocaine, 1.8 pounds of methamphetamine and 1 
pound of hash. Smith said the dog also helped recover $627,000, 30 handguns 
and long guns and 30 vehicles during her unusually long career. Smith said 
most police dogs retire after five to seven years of service.

Smith said Reza earned the doggie equivalent of advanced degrees in 
narcotics detection from the United States Police Canine Association, the 
Narcotics Detector Dog Association, the Kansas and Missouri Police Dog 
Association and the Heart of America Police Dog Association. She also won 
awards from the United States Police Canine Association for narcotics 
detection, earning first place in 1996 and second place in 1998 at the 
group's field competitions.

Reza has retired to the home of her handler, Officer Kevin Cooper.

"I don't think Reza realizes today that she's retired," said Smith. "When 
she doesn't get to get in the police car and come to work with Officer 
Cooper, well, I don't know anything about doggie depression, but I'd almost 
bet that she'll fall into it."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager