Pubdate: Tue, 07 Jun 2005
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2005 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Jennifer Jackson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?237 (Drug Dogs)

K-9 UNITS HELPING SAVE POLICE TIME, MANPOWER

Brad Rule said his partner Olaf, a German shepherd trained to sniff 
narcotics, is more than just a tool he uses to do his job.

"They are my dogs, and they are spoiled," the Del City police officer said. 
"I treat them like my kids."

While many officers across the metro look at police dogs as part of their 
family, the dogs are proving valuable for their contribution to the work force.

Noble Police Chief Ben Daves said K-9 units are being used by more 
departments because the dogs save them time and manpower.

"If there are narcotics, the dogs save you time by being able to detect the 
drugs," Daves said. "The dog can do the job a lot faster than we can as 
humans."

The Noble Police Department will purchase its first dog, which will be 
trained in narcotics detection, patrol work and tracking, at the end of July.

Charlie Spencer, assistant director at the Oklahoma Council on Law 
Enforcement Education and Training, said there are 341 licensed K-9 units 
in the state. Each K-9 unit consists of a dog and its handler.

Rick Greenland, owner of the Oklahoma K-9 Academy in Shawnee, said K-9 
units are trained to detect explosives and drugs and also are used for 
patrol work.

Greenland has trained dogs for the Bethany, Del City, Okarche, Piedmont and 
Norman police departments.

"A large amount of the dogs in the metro area are our dogs," Greenland 
said. "We usually acquire the majority of our dogs from Europe, then we 
train them and send them out."

Edmond police spokeswoman Glynda Chu said the department has a dog trained 
strictly in narcotics and two patrol dogs, which are trained to sniff drugs 
and find missing people.

In December, the department purchased its first explosive-detection canine 
with a $15,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

An explosive-detection canine is capable of sniffing 16 different odors 
including dynamite, explosive gels and black powder.

"The dogs are helpful to us because they search by odor and not by sight, 
which an officer can't do," Chu said. "They cover an area more quickly than 
an officer and keep officers out of harm."

Piedmont Police Chief David Hardin said K-9 units make the environment 
safer for officers when they are on duty.

Hardin said the department's German shepherd is trained in narcotics and is 
being trained to track missing people.

"The dog is an addition to the department and our capabilities," he said. 
"We also assist the school district, as well. Starting in the fall we will 
use the dog to check the school at no cost."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom