Saturday, June 26, 1999
Police dogs, trainers compete
Course gives crime-fighting canine a rush
BY MICHAEL D. CLARK
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Hamilton County Deputy Troy Swearingen leads Bare though the agility course.
(Gary Landers photo)
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UNION TOWNSHIP — He stood nervously in the noon-day sun, a rookie on Hamilton County Sheriff's police force awaiting his turn on the obstacle training course.
Sprinting forward at the first order by his commanding officer he smoothly maneuvered the course only to be stopped by a tall wall tow ering too high even for his four legs.
Police training can be tough if you are a new dog on the canine force.
Despite the course error, the 3-year-old German Shepard named “Bare” gets a hearty rub from his handler and partner against crime, Hamilton County Sheriff's Deputy Troy Swearingen.
“It's his first competition. First for me too,” Deputy Swearingen said. “I love this dog. He's like my right arm.”
Bare was one of more than 50 police dogs from Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana brought by canine officers to Butler County's Union Township for the 1999 United States Police Canine Association, Region 5 Field Trials.
Friday was the first phase of the three-day competition — being held at McGinnis Park and Lakota West High School — that will decide which dogs and handlers go on to compete in national trials. Police dogs, some specializing in finding narcotics, suspect searches and patrol,
compete in a variety of skills including obedience, agility and suspect apprehension.
Most police dogs live with their officer partners and their families to better foster closeness and cooperation. The bond with handlers often is seamless, with dogs performing elaborate maneuvers initiated only by short verbal commands or hand signals.
The regionals are a fun learning experience for both dogs and handlers, explained Deputy Swearingen, who only has worked with Bare since November.
“A lot of the judges here are trainers. If you are having a problem, they'll give you tips,” he said.
Union Township Police Lt. Joel Herzog, whose own police dog, Franco, has garnered regional and national recognition, said the first-ever police dog contest for the township proved popular with more officers and dogs showing than anticipated.
“We've been running about 10 dogs per hour,” said Lt. Herzog. “The weather has cooperated and made it easier.”
Much of the appeal of such competitions is that it also serves as an information forum for handlers.
“It's definitely educational. You'd be surprised at what you learn,” he said.
What canine officers learned years ago is the effectiveness of dogs — especially German shepherds — who are trained to aid in law enforcement.
Daryl Saltzman, assistant police chief for Boonville, Ind., which is near Evansville, said the expanding use of police dogs has provided public relations benefits for police officers, especially with children.
“Kids really love the dogs,” Assistant Chief Saltzman said, adding the canine often gives officers another way to interact with the public and enhances familiarity.
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