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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

Boomer was sworn in on May 27, 2009 and works with Officer Guse, who is currently assigned to early shift. Boomer is a dual purpose canine, meaning that he can be used for narcotic detection as well as criminal apprehension and tracking.

Officer Guse and Boomer continue to train on a daily basis to make sure that they remain proficient in their skills. Once a month, a large number of the police canines from throughout the metro-Milwaukee area partake in joint training. When Boomer is not working, he lives with Officer Guse at his residence.

So far in his early career, Boomer has been deployed on nearly twenty occasions. Officer Guse and Boomer have participated in several public appearances/demonstrations, including the 4th of July parade and Shorewood's National Night Out. Boomer has also been utilized for search warrants, vehicle sniffs, building/school searches, and evidence searches. In two months, Boomer has proven himself to be an asset to the Glendale Police Department, and to the citizens of Glendale.

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. Boomer 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 Sgt. Larry Slamann 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.

ONTACTING 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.