JOB WITH RCMP ALLOWS KAZAN TO SNIFF OUT CRIME FOR MOUNTIES

Kazan Has a Nose for Tainted Cash.

And the four-year-old Czech-born German shepherd, currently under the
tutelage of Cpl. Scott Chapman, has put his nose to good use as a
member of the RCMP's canine unit.

Before arriving here three weeks ago to establish a canine unit out of
the Wetaskiwin detachment, Kazan was instrumental in a major cross
border money laundering and drug bust in Burnaby, B.C.

"We were on a house search and Kazan found the money hidden under
tiles in the kitchen," recalled Chapman, who is looking forward to his
fourth posting in an 11-year career with the Mounties.

Kazan's nose helped link the money, around $480,000 U.S., to the
drugs. The smell of pot, which triggered Kazan's nose, was found on
the cash.

The amiable officer has been assigned to his jet-black four-legged
partner for the past three years.

"He's a general purpose dog," offers Chapman on what Kazan can do now
that he's calling Wetaskiwin home.

Whereas Maddie specializes in sniffing out drugs working alongside
Const. Robin Haney, Kazan can track people, search for drugs, locate
evidence with human scent on it, find firearms and participate in
criminal apprehension.

Chapman did regular police work for the first seven years of his
career before finally landing a canine job. It was something he knew
he wanted to do well before he arrived at Depot to begin his own basic
training.

Why the RCMP for a guy holding a Bachelor of Science in agriculture?

"I needed a job, to be honest," replied the Calgarian, who was
initially posted to Prince Rupert before arriving in British
Columbia's interior and the Vernon RCMP detachment.

His next move, before arriving back in Alberta, was the bustling city
of Burnaby.

"There are lots of calls in Burnaby, but mainly drug searches and
assisting (other members) serving warrants," said Chapman.

Before his partnership with Kazan happened, Chapman would work with
other RCMP dog handlers to gain experience. He also raised five German
shepherd puppies out of the RCMP's Innisfail-based police dog training
centre, each canine receiving a year with the officer before it
returns to be placed with a handler anywhere in Canada.

While the two have a strong bond, Chapman said Kazan is not treated
like a pet. Instead of sleeping at the foot of his bed or curling up
on the couch to watch television in the evening, the dog sleeps in a
backyard kennel.

The 83-pound police dog also has his own back seat in Chapman's
special cruiser, where he stays while his partner does paperwork in
the office.

It's not all work for Kazan. Chapman will take his dog for a long run
in the morning. Training, however, is ongoing.

"It there's nothing happening, we'll do drug and article searches,"
notes Chapman. "And once a week, we'll head down to Red Deer and work
with other dog handlers."

Chapman expects his new posting will present interesting challenges,
whether searching for a lost child in a forested area west of the
detachment or tracking a B&E suspect hiding in a back alley in Millet.

"The whole idea when it comes to tracking is to know your dog's body
movement and what it is telling you," he explained.

"I understand what he's doing. When you're actually tracking it's a
challenge.

"I'm always amazed how a dog shows you it can follow a track. It's
amazing what his nose can pick up.

"I watch the dog's body language. If he doesn't have a track (loses
the scent) I watch for the head movement."

That trained nose, on the trail of a suspect, won't be distracted if a
coyote or skunk happens to pass by. Kazan will remain focused on the
task at hand, knowing there's a reward at the end of the quest.

"A search is based on a reward method for him," said Chapman. "If it's
a human scent he gets his ball. For drugs, he likes his favourite
toy." Chapman does not let Kazan run free during a search, preferring
to handle his animal on a leash as they traverse an open field or
cover a backyard area in the city.

It's not easy holding back the energetic dog once a scent is picked
up. Chapman manages, but must be ready to move through all kinds of
terrain once the dog is on the move.

Depending on his health -- hip problems can force a dog into
retirement -- Chapman said Kazan could have a police career spanning
seven to nine years.

Usually working at night, when most calls for his services might be
required, Chapman is on-call to assist other detachments in the area
if a canine unit is needed.

In the works before he took over from Brian Simpson, Insp. Doug Reti
said having a canine unit based out of Wetaskiwin is an added tool for
members to use when it comes to crime enforcement or crime prevention.

"We don't have the same delay as before getting another dog to this
area," he said of the past when a dog handler would be called out of
Red Deer or Sherwood Park.

Chapman and Kazan can be at a scene at a moment's notice, versus
waiting an hour or longer before outside help arrives.

"And we no longer have an officer tied at a scene waiting for the dog
to arrive.

"There's lots of benefits for this detachment. The dog can defuse an
aggressive situation.

"It can deter B&E's by tracking people from the scene. Word gets
around that the dog is going to catch you - dogs are effective tools
and offer lots of advantages for the detachment."

Reti also sees having the canine unit here as good public relations.
Local schools can expect a visit from Chapman and his canine partner
once they become familiar with the coverage territory and feel at home
in a new detachment.

Chapman, too, is looking forward to showing off his dog with visits to
schools. Smiling, he said he's looking forward to many productive
years with Kazan at his new posting.

"It's been quiet since I got here, but I know we'll be ready," he said
of his introduction to Wetaskiwin.