2012 Car Show and K-9 Demonstration Recap

FALL 2012
LONG BEACH K-9 OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
2012 Car Show and K-9 Demonstration Recap
By John Vogler
Well it’s the Saturday
before Mother’s Day so
it must be time for the
Long Beach K-9 Officers Association Car
Show, hosted by the
Sultans Car Club of
Long Beach. In fact, this
is the 9th car show the
Association and Sultans
have had to raise money
for the K-9 unit.
The first of the participants arrived at 5:30
a.m. and by 10:30 a.m.
there were 143 pre-1976
shiny show cars parked
for all to view. There
were vendors selling
products as well as K-9
and car show t-shirts. By
11:00 a.m. the L.B.P.D.
Bar-B-Q was fired up
and burgers and hot
dogs were being sold.
Live entertainment was
provided by Johnny
Rocket and the VTwins.
The K-9 officers and
their partners put on
another outstanding
demonstration. We even
had the Police helicopter this year. After the
demonstration, the dogs
were available for petting.
If you missed this year’s
car show, mark next
year’s calendar so you
don’t miss it. The K-9
Association would like
to thank the Sultans, our
friends and relatives for
their help in putting on
this event to raise
money for the Long
Beach Police Dept. K-9
Unit.
Inside this issue:
Ofc . Golia & K-9 Nala
2
Sergeant’s Report
2
K-9 Trex Finds Bad Guy
3
Cpl. Shroeder’ Reception
4
Detection/Patrol Dogs
5
Det. Certif. and Ofc. Carter
6
Crime Crushers
7
President’s Message
8
Merchandise
9
Page 2
K9 COLLAR
Sergeant’s Report
ASSOCIATION
OFFICERS
The last few months have been full of successes for the Long Beach
Police Department’s Police Service Dog Unit (PSDU)!
Dan Kachel
President
The Patrol PSDUs have continued to perform at their usual outstanding level. Numerous felony suspects have been taken into
custody with the assistance of the Patrol PSDUs. Recently, a fugitive wanted in three states by the U.S. Marshal Service was taken
into custody with the assistance of a Patrol PSDUs.
Shirley Vaughan
Vice President
Nancy Cotton
Financial Secretary
Steve Ditmars
Recording Secretary
Janie Bordelon
Correspondance Secretary
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Richard Aden
Peter Blair
Vince Bunting
Nancy Hanania
Laura Mathews
Michael McGinnis
Breianne Pryse
The Narcotics Detection PSDUs have been assisting various federal
and other local law enforcement agencies working in the city of
Long Beach and the surrounding areas. Narcotics Detection PSDU’s have located substantial amounts of
concealed controlled substances over the past several months.
The Explosive and Firearm Detection PSDUs have done explosive sweeps for the Long Beach Grand Prix,
His High Holiness Dalai Lama, and various dignitaries that have visited the city of Long Beach. Firearm
Detection PSDUs have located several firearms concealed inside vehicles.
The successes mentioned above are articulated in more detail in the individual handler’s contribution to the
newsletter. All of the Police Service Dog Units are to be commended for their commitment to excellence,
outstanding work, tremendous dedication, and they are a credit to the Long Beach Police Department and
the City of Long Beach.
Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions, concerns or ideas that you may have. My email
address is marcus.hodge@longbeach.gov. Once again, we’d like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude
to the members of the Long Beach K-9 Officer Association for their support of the Long Beach Police
Department’s PSDU.
Regards,
John Vogler
HONORARY
BOARD
Thomas W. Beighlie, DVM
Accountant
Toni Ellis
K-9 Officer Advisor
Sgt. Marcus Hodge
The Long Beach K-9 Officer’s
Association is a non-profit corporation. Federal Tax ID# 953972513.
The K-9 Collar is published quarterly by the Long Beach K-9
Officers’ Association. Subscriptions are a benefit of membership
in the Association. Correspondence and change of address
should be mailed to:
K-9 Collar
P.O. Box 17366
Long Beach, CA 90807-7366
Sgt. Marcus Hodge
Officer Phil Golia and K-9 Nala
Since the last newsletter Officer
Golia and Canine Nala have
been extra busy.
The Grand Prix kicked off several weeks of non-stop activity.
The explosive detection unit
was tasked with sweeping the
Grand Prix venue which started
each day at 3am. We also assisted with a multi- agency Viper sweep for the Transit Unit.
Shortly following was the arrival of the Dalai Lama which
included sweeping the motorcade, motel room, convention
center and airport. Our team
worked hand in hand with the
State Department. The explosive team always had to be one
step ahead of where the Dalai
Lama was going to be to insure
his continued safety while in the
City of Long Beach.
The entire Canine Detection unit
was sent to Terminal Island to
perform sweeps of the Sea
Launch ship due to pending deployment for sea trials.
This month there were four call
outs for assistance from patrol
for possible guns along with a
call out for a suspicious bag at
the airport. Upon inspection the
bag contained welding materials.
As seen in the picture above,
Officer Golia and Canine Nala
attended an ATV training course
at the Airport. After a few moments of uncertainty Canine
Nala enthusiastically joined Offi-
cer Golia for a fun filled ride! It
was commented on that Canine
Nala was the happiest officer in
the bunch!
Officer Golia and Canine Nala
continue training for upcoming
certification and participated in
the K-9 demonstration at the
annual car show with another
great performance.
FALL 2012
Long Beach
Police Service
Dog Unit
Corporal Greg Manis
Jhonny
Officer Bill Kift
Brayen
Officer Mike Parcells
Kyra
Officer Ernie
Wolosewicz
Zerek, Kasia &
Kazik
Officer Mike
Wooldridge
Basco
Officer Joe Valenzuela
Paco
Officer Vic Ortiz
Trex
Page 3
K-9 Trex Finds Bad Guy
By Officer Vic Ortiz
On June 19 there were five
shootings in North Long
Beach. Officers were investigating a shooting in the area
of Scott Street and Long
Beach Blvd. when they
heard several gun shots. Officers went to the area of
Murial and Butler when they
were advised that several
subjects were inside a black
Honda Civic and the passenger shot at an inhabited residence. Officers drove
around the area and they
located a vehicle that
matched the description and
several subjects were walking
away from this vehicle.
When the subjects saw the
Police they ran on foot. Officers immediately set up a
perimeter and requested a K
-9 to assist.
K-9 Trex and I were at another shooting location that
occurred earlier that day and
were searching the area for a
gun (K-9 Trex is primarily a
Patrol K-9 but was recently
crossed trained in locating
guns). Trex and I arrived at
White and 67th Street where
the Officers had the perimeter. Prior to our arrival I was
advised that the subjects were
last seen jumping fences going towards Compton.
Trex and I searched two residences where we were told
that the subjects were attempting to gain entrance into
the residence. Fearing that
the subjects might get into the
residence and hurt someone,
we started clearing the yards.
The Sergeant on scene asked
me if I could use Trex to
search the first yard where the
subjects fled for evidence and
possibly a gun. I began to
look in a yard without Trex
but felt that it was not safe
because the yard wasn’t
cleared for suspects. I took
out Trex and gave two very
loud K-9 announcements
warning the suspects to surrender or a Police Dog
would be used. There was
no response from anyone so
I deployed Trex to clear the
yard. Trex immediately ran
towards an upside down
whicker chair and flipped it
over with his nose. Lo and
behold there was one of our
suspects hiding from us.
The subject attempted to get
up and flee but Trex prevented him from doing this
by biting the suspect.
The suspect admitted to being in the vehicle when they
did the drive by shooting.
The second suspect was a
little smarter and gave up to
Trex and me when I gave
him a K-9 announcement
and he was also taken into
custody, but without a bite.
Officer Jerry Carter
Drago & Thor
Officer Phil Golia
Nala
Det. Luis Rodriguez
Abby
Det. Bernardo
Barajas
Chaco
Officer Vic Ortiz and K-9 Trex search the Sea
Launch vessel.
Officer Vic Ortiz and K-9 Trex on the Sea
Launch.
Page 4
K9 COLLAR
Reception for Corporal Robert Schroeder
By Corporal Greg Manis
On April 18th the Long Beach Police
Department’s K-9 detail hosted a celebration at Gemmrig Park for Corporal
Robert Schroeder. He hired on in 1965
and joined K-9 in 1979 and hung up his
leash in February 2012, after 33 years of
service in the K9 detail. Corporal
Schroeder decided in February that he
was ready to leave the K-9 detail but
wished to continue work for the department and is now working traffic.
The Long Beach Police Department
started the K-9 detail as a pilot program
in 1978 with Soren Poulsen and John
Vogler. Shortly after, in 1979, the detail
grew to six handlers including Corporal
Schroeder. It was this group that established K-9 tactics and training for the
area including hosting 20 to 30 K-9
teams in a week long annual POST certified class. Teams from all over the
state would attend these classes put on
by these handlers. The success of the K
-9 program grew along with the size of
the detail, at one point in the 90’s we
had 12 handlers. We currently are back
to six patrol K-9’s with Corporal
Schroeder’s departure.
When news went out that we were hosting a party in Bob’s honor, we received
an overwhelming response. Strictly K-9
related folks both current and retired, as
well as members of the Long Beach K-9
Officers Association with a crowd exceeding 70 people attended. Chief Mc
Donnell attended as did past Narcotics
dog handler and now Deputy Chief
Robert Luna, past K-9 Sergeant and
now Commander Robert Luman, and
current K-9 Lieutenant Darren Davenport and current Sergeant Marcus
Hodge.
This was the first time in our 34 year K9 history that we have all been together
as a group. Unfortunately it takes a
member of our family to leave before
we can all get together. Attendee’s
linked to Bob’s history here in K-9 were
past K-9 Sergeant and now retired
Commander Melvin Galowas, past K-9
handlers John Vogler, Charles Higley,
Steve Zabel, Mike Kinrade, Brad Eg-
gum, Mike Laduca, Steve Ditmars,
Dave Cannan, Debbie Clark, John
Bruce, Russ Moss, Andy Van Holt,
Greg Roberts and former detection
handler Sgt. Milton Thomas as well as
all the current patrol and detection handlers. A lot of old stories from years
past were told, along with good food
and drinks. A video with just a glimpse
of Corporal Schroeder’s career in K-9
was shown as well as a plaque for his
years of service to K-9 and a gift card
from all the current K-9 handlers from
patrol and detection.
Bob spoke humbly of the career he
enjoyed as a K-9 handler thanking all
his friends for the good times, his loyal
partners, Zeus, Elk, Keno, Amigo and
Egor. Corporal Schroeder has mentored
a generation, from that original six over
his 33 years as a patrol K-9 handler. It is
now our job as a K-9 detail to do the
same so that the next group of handlers
will continue to pursue our detail’s
motto of Duty-Loyalty-Honor and continue to be respected among our peers.
Our congratulations to Corporal Robert
Schroeder, for you will be missed by all
of us in the K-9 unit.
Page 5
K9 COLLAR
Detection Dogs and Patrol Dogs
By Ernie Wolosewicz
When the K-9 detail started it was the
only unit in the department that deployed dogs. When the need for a narcotics dog was identified the handlers
cross-trained their patrol dogs for narcotics detection. Somewhere down the
line a separation occurred and two
units, narcotics and juvenile, decided to
obtain their own dogs for the purpose
of narcotics detection. The dogs and
handlers were not subject to departmental selection, nor was the K-9 detail
asked for advice or direction in the selection process of the handlers or the
dogs. It seems strange to me that the
departmental experts would not be consulted in such a process but none the
less the selection and procurement occurred.
For some reason these detection dogs
had no interaction with the patrol dogs
and in fact handlers were told by members of their perspective units that they
had nothing to do with the patrol K-9
and hence maintained a separation. This
created an environment of inconsistent
training, standards, certification and
deployment methods. There was no
policy or procedure that governed the
training, deployment and certification of
detection dogs. This becomes a crucial
point when, in a court trial, your training and certification is questioned. If
your department cannot establish a
standard then the reliability of the K-9
team can easily be questioned.
Five years ago all the detection handlers
came together to address these issues.
We established a standard for certification, training, and deployment that all
detection dogs had to meet, regardless
of from where they were deployed. We
dedicated a training day in which all the
detection dogs would attend and train
together. All the detection handlers
agreed that the changes improved the
detection ability of the canine team
through proper and consistent training.
We also maintained communication
with strong working ties between details.
During our training and discussion we
discovered the fundamental flaw of the
selection and evaluation process for
new handlers. A detection dog handler
is a skilled position and in many ways
more difficult than handling a patrol
dog. Both require a specialized skill set
that is not common in everyone. It is
the current practice of specialized details who want to utilize a detection dog
to select a handler from within their
own detail without consulting with departmental experts, like the K-9 detail.
It is the current belief that anyone can
handle a dog and no credibility is given
to the skill set required to be successful.
The K-9 detail is working to unite all
handlers, including detection and patrol.
We have combined our training days so
all dogs train on the same day allowing
for team building, camaraderie, and
standardization of training. We currently have three cross-trained patrol
dogs for detection, six single purpose
detection dogs, and three single purpose
patrol dogs. The combination of our
training days is a lot of work but the
handlers are motivated, hard working
men dedicated to professionalism.
Our goal is to promote a standard in
selection, training, certification and deployment of all Police service dogs. The
Long Beach Police Department’s K-9
detail is one of the most experienced,
qualified, and knowledgeable K-9 details in Southern California. We have
two certified instructors, Jerry Carter
and myself. Jerry and I are certified detection trainers and have trained all of
the current detection dogs from basic to
certification. I am also certified to train
patrol dogs and I have trained all of our
current patrol dogs from basic to certification. We, as a detail, do all of our own
basic and maintenance training saving
the department over $175,000 a year.
We hope our K-9 detail will be recognized by other specialized details and
consult us prior to implementing their
own program. We also, as a detail, en-
courage prospective handlers to join us
at training. We will help and guide you
along so you can understand the skill set
of handling a K-9.
Page 6
K9 COLLAR
DETECTION CERTIFICATION for Trex
Officer Vic Ortiz and K-9 Trex
At the End of December K-9 Trex
and I (Officer V. Ortiz) began an
eight week school on the detection of
firearms. Detective Jerry Carter presented the school at the Long Beach
Police Department Academy. Detective Carter had his hands full from
day one trying to teach Trex and me
to locate firearms. Trex loves his job
of locating felony suspects and wasn’t
really into finding guns.
While looking for firearms if there
was any kind of noise Trex would
stop searching for firearms and began
to look for suspects. This became
very frustrating for me but Detective
Carter would remind me that Trex
was a certified patrol dog and I had to
have patience and make it extremely
fun for him when he did locate a firearm.
During our first crack at certification Trex and I failed. It was obvious that we needed some more time
working together as a team. Two
weeks later Trex and I retook the
certification and blew it out of the
water. Trex was locating the firearms prior to starting our detailed
search and would run right to the
hidden firearms and alert.
I am very proud of Trex and we are
now officially certified and working
the streets of Long Beach. Hopefully we will find hidden firearms
that suspects are concealing and
help keep the streets of Long Beach
safe.
Officer Jerry Carter & K-9’s Egor, Thor, & Chaco
On March 24, 2012, Officer Jerry
Carter volunteered to continue training K-9 Egor after his previous K-9
handler retired from the K-9 unit.
Officer Carter immediately changed
Egor's name to K-9 Thor. After a one
month bonding period, Officer Carter
and K-9 Thor attended a patrol K-9
School on May 1, 2012.
The K-9 school was held at the Long
Beach Police Academy and was instructed by K-9 Officer's M. Parcels
and E. Wolosewicz. After one month
of training, Officer Carter and K-9
Thor were certified as a patrol K-9
team. Officer Carter would like to
thank the K-9 Association for letting
him take over the responsibility of K9 Thor. He would also like to thank
Sgt. M. Hodge and the entire K-9
Unit for their support and for giving
him this opportunity as a K-9 patrol
handler.
I deployed K-9 Chaco who alerted on
a dresser drawer and a tote bag which
was located on the floor in the living
room.
On Wednesday June 6, 2012, Officers
Carter and Parcells assisted Westminster Police Department who was serving a search warrant in the 6000 block
of Obispo Ave. in the City of Long
Beach. Officer Carter deployed K-9
Chaco to search the carport and storage area that was located in the carport. During the search, K-9 Chaco
alerted on the storage cabinets that
were approximately five feet in height.
We entered the apartment and
Westminster Police Officers searched
the locations where K-9 Chaco alerted
and they recovered the following
items: 10 pounds of methamphetamines, 2 pounds of powdered heroin,
2 ounces of cocaine and five handguns.
FALL 2012
Page 7
CRIME CRUSHERS
Officer Mike Wooldridge and K-9 Officer Basco
Hi everyone,
I hope everyone is doing well after
the busy holiday season. Well, February was a pretty busy month for
the K-9's. There were lots of
searches. One search stood out for
Basco and me. It was a training day
and we heard over the radio that
north patrol units were in pursuit of
a stolen car. All of the K-9 handlers
ran to our cars and started to drive
to north Long Beach.
Patrol units started to set up a containment to try to keep the suspect
inside the perimeter until the K-9's
got there. Once on scene the search
team was told who they were looking for. It turns out that on the Sunday before our Wednesday training
day this same suspect was driving
another stolen car and ran from
officers then. Basco and I were
involved in that caper but the suspect got away. This time we were
determined to find him.
Patrol units felt they had the suspect
inside the contained area. Basco and
I had our search team and Officer
Parcells and Kyra had their search
team. So both teams started to search
for the hiding suspect. After clearing
a few backyards, we were starting to
wonder if the suspect was even in the
containment. We pushed on, determined to find the suspect. Basco and
Kyra were doing a great job looking
in all the hiding spots.
All of a sudden over the police radio
we heard an undercover unit say he
thought he saw the suspect outside of
our search area. The undercover
officer followed the suspect for a
couple of minutes until patrol officers
could arrive to assist him. Patrol officers, along with our own Sgt. Marcus
Hodge, were able to find the suspect
in the backyard of a house and took
him into custody.
Even though the K-9 teams didn't
find the suspect in our containment,
we were very helpful to the patrol
units in making their search safer.
Stay safe out there!!!!!!!
CRIME CRUSHERS
Officer Jerry Carter and K-9 Thor
On Tuesday June 26, 2012, Officer
Carter and his K-9 partner Thor responded to the 1300 Block of East
16th St. to assist LBPD Gang Units
and the United States Marshalls. The
suspect they were trying to apprehend was wanted for five felony warrants for transportation of narcotics
in five states. Once officers engaged
in a foot pursuit with the suspect a
perimeter was set in order to contain
the suspect in the area.
Officer Carter was assisted by Officer Wolosewicz who coordinated and
lead the search team. K-9 Thor
searched the backyard of a residence
and began alerting on the east fence
that was covered with ivy. As K-
9 Thor continued searching south
down the fence line he made his way
down to the southeast corner of the
backyard. K-9 Thor began jumping up
and barking at the bushes that grew
into a canopy that was approximately
six feet in height.
After Officer Wolosewicz gave several
verbal commands to the suspect, the
suspect fell from the bushes onto the
ground. While the suspect was on the
ground he continued to ignore the
commands that were being given to
him and at that time I released K-9
Thor who made contact with the suspect’s left rib cage. The suspect was
taken into custody without further
incident.
FALL 2012
Page 8
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
By Dan Kachel, President, Board of Directors
We had a very successful Car Show and K-9 Demonstration this year, and I hope you were all able to attend to enjoy the cars, music,
food, prizes and demo. It was really quite a spectacular day. Many thanks to the sponsors and donors listed elsewhere in this issue. Please
patronize them when you can.
Also in this issue are some good articles about the activities of our many K-9’s and the accomplishments they have achieved recently. It’s
amazing to think how much these teams of K-9’s and handlers do, in and for our community. Their skills and training is second to none.
I’m sure their fellow officers in the field also appreciate having them provide for officer safety as well.
The Long Beach K-9 Officers Association remains financially strong, and is ready, willing, and able to support the K-9 detail with replacement service dogs whenever they are needed. We also continue to provide off duty medical care for active dogs and support our
retired K-9’s as well. Your contributions enable us to provide these services to our community, the department and the K-9 Unit. For
that, you have our sincere thanks and immense appreciation. Thank you, and enjoy this issue of the K-9 Collar!!
Check our web site www.LBK9OA.org for more information regarding our activities.
See our souvenir items with LBK9OA logos available for sale.
You can also donate via our web site through PayPal using your credit card.
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Long Beach, CA 90807-7366
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Thank you to our 2012 Car Show Sponsors and Vendors!
Cookie Lee Jewelry
Die Cast Models
Steve's Kettle Corn
Colleen Erickson
Dave & Sheila Cannan
Laura Matthews
Hof's Hut / Lucille's BBQ
Ralphs Market
Nancy Hanania
El Zarape Mexican Restaurant
Baker Bearing
Incredible Journey Travel
C & C Automotive Distributors
Lasting Impressions
Heritage Press
C.H. Topping & Co.
Grand Prix Association of
Long Beach
Fred Jansen
Jeff Wolfson
Jeff Leonard
Maribel Godoy
Johnny Rocket & The VTwins
Chris Henry
Mary Parson
Alyssa Floyd
Patty Heintzelman
Steve Jansen
LBPOA Honoraries
Sultans Car Club of LB
Scott & Nancy Carrier "COC"
Kristen Bunting
Vince Bunting (Son)
Julie Bunting
Glenn E. Thomas Dodge
Kristina Albrecht
Westside Truck & Auto
Belmont Motor Clinic
Paul at Baker Bearing
Burns Stainless, LLC
Transcom Telecommuincations
Pacific Ford
Harbor Chevrolet
Norm Saumure
Nolan & Barbara Henderson
Jane Stein
Toni Ellis
Clay Jarutowicz
Teri Floyd
Ken Reason
Randy Jones
4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers
Rossmoor Car Wash
Long Beach Police Explorers
Snap-on Tools