K-9 UNITS HELPING SAVE POLICE TIME, MANPOWER

Brad Rule said his partner Olaf, a German shepherd trained to sniff
narcotics, is more than just a tool he uses to do his job.

"They are my dogs, and they are spoiled," the Del City police officer said.
"I treat them like my kids."

While many officers across the metro look at police dogs as part of their
family, the dogs are proving valuable for their contribution to the work force.

Noble Police Chief Ben Daves said K-9 units are being used by more
departments because the dogs save them time and manpower.

"If there are narcotics, the dogs save you time by being able to detect the
drugs," Daves said. "The dog can do the job a lot faster than we can as
humans."

The Noble Police Department will purchase its first dog, which will be
trained in narcotics detection, patrol work and tracking, at the end of July.

Charlie Spencer, assistant director at the Oklahoma Council on Law
Enforcement Education and Training, said there are 341 licensed K-9 units
in the state. Each K-9 unit consists of a dog and its handler.

Rick Greenland, owner of the Oklahoma K-9 Academy in Shawnee, said K-9
units are trained to detect explosives and drugs and also are used for
patrol work.

Greenland has trained dogs for the Bethany, Del City, Okarche, Piedmont and
Norman police departments.

"A large amount of the dogs in the metro area are our dogs," Greenland
said. "We usually acquire the majority of our dogs from Europe, then we
train them and send them out."

Edmond police spokeswoman Glynda Chu said the department has a dog trained
strictly in narcotics and two patrol dogs, which are trained to sniff drugs
and find missing people.

In December, the department purchased its first explosive-detection canine
with a $15,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

An explosive-detection canine is capable of sniffing 16 different odors
including dynamite, explosive gels and black powder.

"The dogs are helpful to us because they search by odor and not by sight,
which an officer can't do," Chu said. "They cover an area more quickly than
an officer and keep officers out of harm."

Piedmont Police Chief David Hardin said K-9 units make the environment
safer for officers when they are on duty.

Hardin said the department's German shepherd is trained in narcotics and is
being trained to track missing people.

"The dog is an addition to the department and our capabilities," he said.
"We also assist the school district, as well. Starting in the fall we will
use the dog to check the school at no cost."