The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) was established in 1889. In February 1985 after recognizing a need to further provide safety and protection within the communities served, they created and implemented the K-9 Unit.
The S.A.F.E. Foundation recently had the opportunity to work with the Orange County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit which currently has nine (9) Police Service Dogs and their handlers. We learned that these K9s were in need of protective safety equipment that was not provided by the Department.
Our foundation worked with the OCSD K-9 Unit to purchase each K9 ear protectors and specialized goggles to protect their eyes from debris, dirt, smoke, etc. while performing their given tasks. In addition, the S.A.F.E. Foundation purchased five (5) customized ballistic vests for those K9s whose specific tasks require their performance and endurance not be hindered by the standard issued vests.
When we arrived at the training site with the delivery, the dogs were happily “entertaining” themselves with a favorite “toy” (e.g., bumper, Kong ball, etc.) ready to start their day of training. Even though wearing goggles and ear protectors was a new experience for some of these K9s, all of the dogs were so well behaved and allowed their Deputy partners to fit and adjust their goggles.
Watching the mutual respect, bond, and trust between the Deputies and their K9 partners was amazing! We were very impressed with the OCSD K-9 Unit and their professionalism and how much responsibility they have. And these Police Service Dogs are energetic, attentive, work hard, and clearly love what they do.
The S.A.F.E. Foundation will continue to provide assistance to the Orange County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit when needed.
See the “Q&A” section to learn more about these heroic K9s in the interview S.A.F.E. Foundation did with the OCSD K-9 Unit.
Q&A
Q: What are the names of the current K9s on active duty?
A: *Our current K9s are: K9“Enzo,” K9“Ketel,” K9“Mac,” K9“Rocky,” K9“Lido,” K9“Solo,” K9“Max,” and K9“Falco.” *Note: After this interview was conducted, the K-9 Unit welcomed a new member to the team, K9 “Hugo.”
Q: What is the main job description and/or responsibilities of the Orange County Sheriff’s K9 Unit?
A: The Orange County Sheriff’s Department K9 Unit is assigned to our Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) along with the SWAT Team, Hazardous Devices Section (HDS), and Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT). Our K9 teams supplement Patrol Operations as well as Special Investigative and Operational units throughout the Sheriff’s Department. The primary mission of our K9s, officially titled “Police Service Dogs,” is to help locate people or things using their innate abilities.
Q: What obstacles might these Police Service Dogs face while on duty because they do not have the appropriate field equipment due to lack of financial assistance (e.g., ballistic vests)?
A: Standard issued ballistic K9 vests are heavy and cumbersome. Due to the size of the vest and lack of flexibility, the standard issued vests significantly effect a K9’s ability to remain agile. Although standard vests are more economically efficient and can be used on a variety of K9 body types, our K9s will often fatigue rapidly due to the size and weight of the ballistic protection. Specialized vests through companies such as, “K9 Storm,” which are ordered and sized for individual dogs, allow our K9s to maintain their agility, decrease the opportunity for fatigue, and allow for ballistic protection throughout an entire shift instead of short periods of time.
Q: Is there financial assistance provided to the deputies for the care of their K9 partners (e.g., food, vet services for basic health care, safety equipment such as goggles and/or ballistic vests, housing, bumpers, etc.)? Do the Deputies have out-of-pocket expenses in the care and training of their K9 partners?
A: Our handlers are not financially responsible for housing, food, basic safety equipment, or veterinary health care. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department covers those expenses. However, our handlers frequently pay out of pocket for more effective safety equipment or protective training gear above and beyond what is issued by the Department.
Q: How long is the initial K-9 Unit training program? Is there ongoing training-how often?
A: *Our OCSD K9s and new handlers undergo six (6) weeks of initial basic training from a third-party P.O.S.T.- certified dog trainer before joining the team. Once they complete the basic school, K-9 teams participate in upwards of 600 hours of training per year including: detection training, weekly team training, individual shift training, specialized training in tracking, SWAT tactics, Air Support Operations, Waterborne Operations, etc.
*Note: P.O.S.T. is the acronym for Police Officer’s Standards and Training
Q: On average, how long does a K9 serve on “active duty” before he or she retires?
A: The average service length of our K9s varies on the health, stamina, and drive of each individual dog. There is no minimum or maximum service requirement. On average, our K9s will work until they are around 8 or 9 years old, leaving them with a few more years of well-earned retirement with their handler’s family.
Q: Do you use both male and female dogs? And, is there a difference in their temperament or in their training performance?
A: The OCSD K9 Unit does not currently deploy any female K9s on Patrol. Both genders can adequately perform the tasks necessary for Police Service Dogs and other agencies within the County of Orange do in fact deploy females with no difference in performance.
Q: What happens to the Police Service Dogs when they retire? Is there any financial assistance provided for the care of these retired K9s? If not, who assumes the financial responsibility?
A: Currently, retired Police Service Dogs do receive limited financial assistance from generous donations collected by the Orange County Police Canine Association, however, once a K9 is retired, their handlers assume full financial responsibility for them.
Q: What do you think motivates these dogs to risk their lives and do what they do each day?
A: Police Service Dogs are simply domesticated and highly trained animals. Being such, they have very little sense of self-preservation in human terms. Our Police Service Dogs do not perceive danger in the same manner we might; they merely believe they are performing a special task we have trained them to do. Whether that is searching for a dangerous and violent suspect or operating in an environment too confined or dangerous for Deputies to enter, their drive to perform that given task in search of a “reward” means that they will forge ahead regardless of danger.
Being that our Police Service Dogs do not detect danger or potential hazards effectively, it is incumbent on every handler to ensure the search area we are deploying them into is as safe as possible given their mission, and that they are equipped with the proper safety gear.
Q: Do your K9 partners get rewarded for a “job well-done,” and if so, what are a couple examples of their favorite rewards?
A: Each of our K9 partners has their own favorite reward for a given task or “Job well-done.” A couple favorites among our team are the salt-free (“pup patty”) cheeseburger from In-n-Out or a Starbucks “Puppuccino” (whipped cream in a cup).
Q: Can you briefly share a recent incident that required the assistance of your Police Service Dogs?
A: Recently, several of our OCSD K9 teams were called to assist with a vehicle pursuit involving two suspects wanted in connection to residential burglaries. The vehicle they were evading in was believed to be stolen. After a pursuit spanning several South Orange County Cities, the suspects abandoned their vehicle in a Regional Nature Park and fled on foot. Sheriff’s helicopter, “Duke 1,” was overhead and watched the suspects run down a trail and into a ravine filled with dense vegetation. The vegetation they fled into was so thick and overgrown, it was impossible for helicopter to track their movement.
One of our OCSD K9s was able to track the suspects (while wearing his K9 Storm customized ballistic vest for added protection) through the vegetation and into the creek below. With the assistance of our K9, both suspects were located by the search team and taken into custody. A search of the suspects’ vehicle later revealed a firearm and additional stolen property.
Without the assistance of a K9, this search would have been called off due to the environment they fled into, and two dangerous suspects would have remained free within our community.
Q: Is there anything the Orange County Sheriff’s K9 Unit would like the public to know about what your Unit does or something they may not be aware of with regards to the Police Service Dogs themselves?
A: Sometimes our K9 partners can be overlooked by the Law Enforcement community as a piece of specialized equipment, but I think it’s important for the community at large to know that our Police Service Dogs are very well taken care of.
The bond between K9 and handler is something that isn’t found in many other places in Law Enforcement. We love and care for our K9 partners and they show us the same amount of love in return. Although it’s unfortunate that at times we must insert our four-legged partners into dangerous situations, we do not take it lightly or for granted.
The safety of our K9 partners is always a priority to us and we dedicate many hundreds of hours in specialized training to ensure they have the best possible chance of returning home with their handlers every night.
They are not vicious attack animals sent to hunt man. In fact, each of our Police Service Dogs have their own unique personalities, quirks, likes, and dislikes. But, they all love the social interaction between man and dog. Community outreach demonstrations are an ongoing responsibility we have as K9 handlers, and we love interacting with the citizens we serve. I would encourage anyone with questions or interest in gaining knowledge about Police Service Dogs to attend one of our demonstrations.
Additional information about our Police Service Dogs is available at ocsheriff.gov or on Instagram @ocsheriff and @ocsdk9unit.
