MANSFIELD, Ohio – K-9 Unit partner dogs may be friendly – but they are not pets. In order to develop the disciplines needed, K-9 dogs are highly-trained workers. The Richland County Sheriff Department and the Mansfield Police Department describe them as workers with a specific job: to enforce the law for the protection of their handlers and the general public.
“They are not pets. They are working dogs and they’re treated as such. They know that when it’s time to work, it’s time to work,” said Capt. James Sweat with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
There are two K-9 Units in the county, one with the Richland County Sheriff Department and one with the Mansfield Police Department. Each unit handles three dogs for a total of six dogs patrolling our county’s streets with the guidance of a deputy or patrolman.
“Each dog gets a handler,” explained Sweat. “We try to match them with the personality of the handler. Dogs are like humans; they have individual personalities.”
Once the dogs (typically around 14 months of age) are matched with a handler, they go through training together. Training grounds for each department are located on Lexington-Ontario Road near the Clearfork Reservoir.
Both departments receive their dogs from a distributor that directly works with a company from Eastern Europe and most of the dogs came from Germany.
Sweat said American bred dogs are less aggressive, a trait that is of paramount importance to K-9 units.
It takes up to several months for the dogs to become certified K-9s. The Sheriff’s Department held a 16-week training session that started in April 2013. There are two basic disciplines the dogs are trained under and receive certifications for from the State of Ohio: “Special Purposes” and “Patrol Dog.”
Special Purposes dogs are trained for drug detection, tracking and article searches. The Patrol Dog can apprehend criminals and search buildings and suspects. Two of the Richland County Sheriff Department’s dogs are certified in both disciplines. Mansfield’s Police Department’s dogs are all Patrol Dogs.
The Sheriff Department reinstated the K-9 Unit in 2005 after five years of inactivity. In 2008, the departments did not replace the dogs because of budget cuts, but the program started up again in 2013 as budget funds became more available.
“It makes our jobs safer. Whenever we don’t have to put a human in harm’s way, that’s important. Dogs have heightened senses, speed, agility, scent – there’s really no way to quantify their basic skill sets,” said Captain Sweat.
These dogs spend all day with their handlers. Despite the clear distinction between work dogs and pets, inevitably, the handlers become emotionally attached to their dogs. Deputy Jeff Frazier with Richland County’s Sheriff Department said there’s nothing he doesn’t like about his German Shepherd, Buck.
“He kind of fits my personality,” said Frazier with a chuckle. “He doesn’t want to be messed with.”
Frazier reinforced the importance of not perceiving the dogs as pets.
“They operate off our direction and demeanor. They can play around at home, but when we’re out on the street, he (Buck) knows through training that it’s not playtime anymore,” said Frazier.
Rahko (pronounced ‘Rock-Oh’), belongs to Deputy Jeff Myers of the Richland County Sheriff Department. “He fits my personality well. He’s mellow, quiet and obedient,” shared Myers.
Molly, an Australian Shepherd, is owned by Deputy Robert Caltrider of the sheriff’s department. She is a Special Purpose dog. She tracks criminals and conducts article searches. Caltrider also takes her along to DARE gatherings in schools.
Patrol officers Steve Hornback, Sara Mosier-Napier and Ryan Garner work for the Mansfield Police Department. They each have a K-9 partner.
Hornback named his 2-year-old German Shepherd Xaro. Much like Myers’ Rahko, Xaro is laid back and easy going. But when it’s time for patrol, it’s time for business.
“He knows when it’s time to go – he’ll stand by the door waiting for me,” said Hornback.
Xaro’s trained to search for narcotics and to patrol. He received 12 weeks of training.
Sam, a Holland-mix Belgian Malinois belongs to Sara Mosier-Napier. “He’s the class clown of the bunch, but very aggressive. He has lots of drive and is very possessive, like he’ll scare other patrolmen,” said Mosier-Napier.
Patrolman Garner’s dog is a German Shepherd and his name is Elliott.
The handlers love their jobs. They see it as a privilege to have a partner with them everyday. The dogs make their jobs safer, giving the officers peace of mind in their high-stress line of work.
“It’s the best job in the force, by far. We always have a partner,” said Hornback.
“I know without a doubt that Buck would put his life down for me,” shared Frazier.
The Mansfield Police Department said they appreciate their donors for support to the program. Sergeant Randy Carver, the Mansfield Police Department’s K-9 administrator said the program would not be possible without public support. And the sheriff department’s program is funded through a combination of public and private donations and budget monies.
