Lake County’s newest 4-legged law enforcers
LAKE COUNTY >> It’s the Year of the Ox, according to the Chinese calendar, but in Lake County, it’s the year of the dog. That’s true for at least three law enforcement agencies that recently acquired new members of their K-9 programs. This summer, Olin, a German shepherd, joined the Lakeport Police Department (LPD), and Rex, a Belgian Malinois, became part of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD). Earlier in the year, Vern, also a German shepherd, became a member of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Cannabis Enforcement Program. All three K-9s were born in Europe.
The German shepherd and the Belgian Malinois both are reputed to be the top breeds for law enforcement and military work for their intelligence, high energy, agility, loyalty, willingness to work hard, and trainability. Is one better than the other?
“There are many opinions regarding this topic,” said Lt. Richard Ward, who oversees the LCSD’S K-9 program. “I have worked with both, and in my humble opinion, the Malinois works harder, longer, faster and get more service life. They are both outstanding working dogs from herding groups originating from Europe.”
CDFW spokeswoman Janice Mackey shares this perspective: “Locating and matching the dog with the task it is to perform has more to do with the individual dog and handler than the breed. We evaluated both German shepherd and Belgian Malinois. We evaluated several dogs and ended up selecting Vern because he showed traits that match Warden Moore’s personality and possessed the drive and ability to perform all he would be expected to do.” Warden Wyatt Moore is Vern’s handler.
The Lakeport Police last had a K-9 unit in 2009. LPD Officer Kaylene Strugnell is excited she’s part of the team that helped secure additional funding to restore the program and to be selected as Olin’s handler.
Strugnell wrote the application that led to LPD’S acquisition of a $10,000 grant from the Sean M. Walsh K-9 Memorial Foundation. The Sean Walsh grant, added to a $38,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant and funds from the LPD asset forfeitures, non-profits, businesses and community members, made it possible for the LPD to purchase Olin and a 2021 Durango modified to be a K-9 patrol car, LPD Chief Brad Rasmussen said. The combined funds also financed Strugnell and Olin’s six-week training at CJ’S Police K-9s, a police dog supplier and training center in Novato.
Olin’s training included handler protection, suspect apprehension and narcotics detection. Strugnell describes Olin as “lean, active, happy and beautiful.” “He acts just like another officer,” Strugnell said.
LCSD’S K-9 program dates back to the ‘90s while the CDFW program got its start in 2007.
LCSD purchased twoyear-old Rex from Adlerhorst International in Riverside County’s Jurupa Valley with funding also from asset forfeitures, fund-rising events and public donations. Rex and his handler, Deputy Joe Lyons, were trained at Adlerhorst in familiarization and care, apprehension work, tracking, searching and odor recognition.
The duo’s community service includes providing demonstrations at schools and public events. Lyons finds working with a K-9 partner to be both “challenging and rewarding” and considers Rex to be the best partner he could ask for.
“K-9 programs are extremely valuable,” said Ward, a former K-9 handler. “A dog’s nose has an olfactory 40 times greater than ours. Simply put, they save us hundreds of man hours searching for things and people.”
Ward continued: “Police K-9s are such a valuable tool for law enforcement and the community. I can remember a police officer coming to my elementary school when I was in first grade to introduce himself and his K-9. I never forgot that moment and how amazing that job could be. I was blessed and privileged to be able to achieve my childhood dream and serve our community with K-9 Axel for six years (2003 to 2009). Best job I ever had.”
CDFW spokeswoman Janice Mackey expounds on the contributions of K-9 units. “They have been used to curb poaching, prevent the importation and exportation of endangered and protected species, protect natural resources, wildlife species and enforcement officers,” Mackey said. “They aid in the capture of suspects attempting to injure or evade officers.”
Vern also was purchased from and trained at CJ’S Police K-9s. However, the CDFW has used multiple vendors in the state based on the needs of a team and have trained multiple dogs in-house as well.
“Typically, the initial training takes 4 to 8 weeks and regular training is necessary throughout the life of the dog to ensure the team is performing at the highest levels,” Mackey said.
Vern has multiple responsibilities, including protecting his handler, locating wanted and/or missing persons, and detecting items people could hide including wildlife, firearms and drugs.
The CDFW’S K-9 program is supported by a combination of funding from special programs, the CDFW general fund and the public.
K-9s Olin, Rex and Vern go to work every day with their handlers, and at the end of their work day, go home with their handlers for rest, relaxation and some play time.
All three agencies acknowledge the importance of public support to maintain and sustain their K-9 programs.
While COVID-19 has impacted public involvement through fund-raising events, two Lakeport businesses have been able to set up programs for community members to contribute to LPD’S K-9 program. Bruno’s Shop Smart (707-2637337), 355 Lakeport Boulevard, is allowing its customers who have signed up or will sign up for an All Access Rewards card to allocate 1% of their shopping cost to LPD’S K-9 program. Those who already have a card can make the request at Bruno’s Customer Service counter.
David and Christy Brown, owners of Suzie Q’s Donuts & Espresso (707 533-7400), 501
Main St. (formerly the DMV building), are sponsoring a drawing for a $1,000 gift certificate. Tickets are priced at $50 each and each contributor will receive a Susie Q coffee mug.
Olin goes to work every day with Strugnell and both go home together at the end of their patrol shift.