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Canine Unit

THE CANINE UNIT AND ITS GOALS

The Glendale Police Department Canine Unit was created to help the department with its primary function, the preservation of life and property. The Canine Unit assists in achieving this goal by promoting an atmosphere of service and safety in the community, utilizing canines in general and specialized patrol to enhance crime prevention, crime suppression, criminal investigations and Police Officer/Citizen protection.

The Canine Unit became a reality in April 1999 after several years of effort and planning by Police Department Officers and Staff. The initial start up of the Canine Unit was funded in total by donations from the private sector. Credit is to be given to local businesses and individual citizens who provided the donations to make this program a reality.

CANINE

The City of Glendale purchased a Belgian Malinois named Kodee from Southern Police Canine Inc., (Spring Hope, NC). Kodee was born December 16, 1996 in Holland. Kodee was trained in Holland until he was about 2 years old. In the fall of 1998, Mark Mills, who is the owner of Southern Police Canine, traveled to Europe and handpicked several Canines for his company and imported them to the United States. Kodee was one of those canines. For approximately 20 weeks, Mark trained Kodee for Patrol/Narcotics Detection purposes. In April 1999, Officer Larry Slamann, who was appointed as the Department’s first Canine Handler, traveled to Southern Police Canine where he met up with is new Partner Kodee. Officer Slamann and Kodee trained for an additional 6 weeks before both returned to Wisconsin. Officer Slamann and Kodee are assigned to the Patrol Division within the Glendale Police Department.

Possibly the greatest value of a Canine Unit lies in its mere presence on the street. The psychological effect of a Police Canine is tremendous, and their deterrent effect on crime cannot be measured. The Canine is not to replace Police Officers, but to work as a member of a canine/handler team. The Canine’s remarkable olfactory and hearing senses are the main reason we utilize canines. These senses allow the canines to perform functions that the human Police Officer just cannot do. Canine/Handler teams can be used in the following situations utilizing these incredible skills.

bulletTRACKING- Providing that conditions for tracking are suitable, the canine can track human beings through a combination of human scent and ground disturbance. Tracking is used mostly in locating and following a suspect’s trail from the scene of various crimes, such as burglary, robbery, prowling, etc.
 
bulletBUILDING SEARCHES- The use of canines to search buildings and homes is perhaps the most utilized of all the abilities they possess. A large warehouse, office building, house or school which has been burglarized, or in which the alarm has been activated, are places where the canine is most functional.
 
bulletCRIME SCENE/EVIDENCE SEARCHES- The canine can point out objects within a specific area that are foreign to the ground. Canines can be very useful in recovery of physical evidence in brush and tall grass.
 
bulletOPEN AREA SEARCHES- Glendale has many densely vegetated areas which can provide suspects with hiding places. Often these suspects are armed and pose a danger to the officers who are required to arrest them. A properly trained canine can be used in these situations to locate the suspect while minimizing the danger to Police Officers. The canine, with his superior olfactory and hearing senses, is capable of conducting a more thorough search in less time than even a large number of officers.
 
bulletAPPREHENSION OF FLEEING SUSPECTS – Occasionally the canine may be called upon to apprehend and contain a fleeing suspect. This can prevent the use of greater force to subdue a fleeing or combative suspect. At any point before the apprehension, if the suspect gives up, the canine can be recalled without apprehension.
 
bulletNARCOTIC SEARCHES – The use of canines to locate narcotics is another valuable ability. Canines can locate hidden narcotics using their superior olfactory skills. These narcotics can be hidden in false vehicle compartments, behind false walls or any other area in which small or large quantities can be concealed. Kodee is presently trained to locate the odor of marijuana, cocaine, cocaine base, hashish and heroin.

UNIT TRAINING

The Canine Unit trains on a consistent basis to keep the canine/handler team sharp and proficient at their skills. The canine/handler team train virtually on a daily basis and once a month they train with a group of other canine handler’s in the area. The Canine Unit Supervisor is Lt. Daniel Herlache who oversees the canine training.

The Glendale Police Department takes great pride in its Canine Unit and its accomplishments. Its peers recognize the Canine Unit, as a very valuable asset to the Police Department and the community.

RETIREMENT

Kodee lives with Officer Slamann and his family. When Kodee retires from the Glendale Police Department, he will live with Officer Slamann for the rest of his life.

CONTACTING THE UNIT

The Canine Unit often performs presentations/demonstrations for local civic groups and organizations. These presentations focus on the job or a working Police Canine and its handler as a way of creating a better understanding of the Canine Unit with the community. To inquire about scheduling a presentation/demonstration by the Canine Unit, or if you have any other questions, please contact the Glendale Police Department at (414) 228-1753.