Canine Unit
The Sheriff’s Office fields four canine teams who are certified annually by the International Police Work Dog Association and train weekly to maintain their craft. The teams are certified in patrol and drug detection and are used to conduct building searches, evidence recovery, tracking for criminal suspects, drug detection, and apprehension of violent offenders. The unit also has two single-purpose canines trained in explosive detection.
Cpl. William Rishel has been a canine handler since 2007 and is currently the Head Canine Instructor for the agency. He currently handles two canines for the agency. K9 “Skar” is a dual-purpose Belgian Malinois, certified nationally through the International Police Work Dog Association (I.P.W.D.A.) in Patrol Tactics and Narcotics Detection. K9 “Havok” is a Belgian Malinois, certified nationally through the I.P.W.D.A. in Explosives Detection.
Cpl. Lacey Smith has been a canine handler since 2017 and is currently the Assistant Canine Instructor for the agency. She currently handles two canines for the agency. K9 “Brix” is a dual-purpose Dutch Shepard, certified nationally through the I.P.W.D.A. in Patrol Tactics and Narcotics Detection. K9 “Jade” is a Black Labrador, certified nationally through the I.P.W.D.A. in Explosives Detection.
Cpl. Brandon Foor has been a canine handler since 2019. He currently handles K9 “Dyno”, a Belgian Malinois, certified nationally through the I.P.W.D.A. in Patrol Tactics and Narcotics Detection.
Cpl. Phillip Henry has been a canine handler since 2020. He currently handles K9 “Maja”, a Dutch Shepard, certified nationally through the I.P.W.D.A. in Patrol Tactics and Narcotics Detection.