LENEXA COUNCIL HONORS RETIRING POLICE DOG By MELODEE HALL BLOBAUM

Two of the gifts presented to a retiring member of the Lenexa Police
Department at Tuesday's City Council meeting were exactly what you might
expect: a certificate commending her faithful service and a reproduction
badge on a chain.

The pre-chewed pager, however, indicated this was no ordinary retiree.
Rather, it was Reza, the department's drug dog who was retiring after nine
years service.

Reza didn't offer any long-winded retirement speeches and seemed as
interested in the pager as in her certificate and badge. Which is to say,
not interested at all, given the availability of the foot-long length of
PVC pipe that is her customary reward for a job well done.

Police Chief Ellen Hanson presented Reza with the gifts, with the
assistance of Council President Amy Slater.

Hanson said Reza had recovered more drugs and seen more action than any
other dog in the history of the city's canine corps, which currently has
three dogs.

"She's pretty outstanding," Hanson said.

Capt. Steve Smith elaborated on Reza's accomplishments. Since her purchase
for $4,500 in January 1994, the pooch assisted the department and other
area law enforcement agencies in uncovering and recovering thousands of
dollars worth of goods and property. She nosed out 5,608 pounds of
marijuana, 3 kilograms of cocaine, 1.8 pounds of methamphetamine and 1
pound of hash. Smith said the dog also helped recover $627,000, 30 handguns
and long guns and 30 vehicles during her unusually long career. Smith said
most police dogs retire after five to seven years of service.

Smith said Reza earned the doggie equivalent of advanced degrees in
narcotics detection from the United States Police Canine Association, the
Narcotics Detector Dog Association, the Kansas and Missouri Police Dog
Association and the Heart of America Police Dog Association. She also won
awards from the United States Police Canine Association for narcotics
detection, earning first place in 1996 and second place in 1998 at the
group's field competitions.

Reza has retired to the home of her handler, Officer Kevin Cooper.

"I don't think Reza realizes today that she's retired," said Smith. "When
she doesn't get to get in the police car and come to work with Officer
Cooper, well, I don't know anything about doggie depression, but I'd almost
bet that she'll fall into it."