December 21, 2006

Baltimore, MD There is sad news from the Baltimore Police Department, as the oldest veteran of its renowned k-9 unit has died.

“Reno” was 14, and served 11 years as officer Jerry Turpin's partner, before failing hips, caused him to be put down.

With tears in his eyes, Turpin, a 26-year veteran of the force, says "I've lost my best friend.

Nobody will ever know what goes on between an officer and his dog."

Reno and Jerry hit the streets in 1996 and were inseparable until Reno was injured in the line of duty. In 2005 Reno fell through a window while in pursuit of a suspect which lead to his retirement as a result of the injuries.

Reno's sister “Imka” has become Jerry's new partner.

There are 28 canines on the city police force which, celebrated its 50th anniversary  March2006

EDITOR'S NOTE:

ON Tuesday, December 11, 1956, an article was published in one of our local newspapers which was one of a series of articles written by one Martin Millspaugh pertaining to Scotland Yard. This article, the last of a series, was devoted to the use of police dogs in London. As a result of the letters and inquiries received by Commissioner James M. Hepbron, an article appeared in the Morning Sun on December 17, 1956 which briefly stated that Commissioner Hepbron was interested and saw the possibilities of using dogs in the Baltimore City Police Department.

On December 18, 1956, two dogs that had had previous training were offered to the Baltimore City Police Department and, with two officers also with previous dog experience, the program was put into effect on an experimental basis. By the middle of January 1957, fourteen dogs had been acquired as potential candidates and fourteen men were selected and assigned to the K-9 Corps. These men were chosen as a result of a questionnaire which was sent to all members of the department asking for volunteers.

 These men and dogs were trained daily until March 1, 1957. At that time, they were put on the street on, Friday and Saturday nights, working the areas where crime was most prevalent.

Shortly after this, actually on April 17, 1957, Commissioner Hepbron, considering the experiment a success, went before the Mayor and City Council and appropriations were made through the Board of Estimates which resulted in the K-9 Corps becoming a permanent part of the Baltimore City Police Department.

The administration of the Canine (K-9) Corps is under the direction of an Inspector of Police. A Lieutenant has been placed in command of the unit, and he has a civilian trainer assigned to him whose sole responsibility is the training of the officers and the dogs. There are also 3 sergeants assigned to the K-9 Corps who assist in the training program. These sergeants also monitor the activity of the K-9 patrol force in the field under the direction of their commanding officer.

These sergeants were selected on the basis of their qualifications, and previous knowledge' and experience in training and handling dogs. The balance of the organization at present consists of 30 officers (patrolmen), a clerk and 40 dogs.

It must be kept in mind that an officer to work with a dog must want to do so-he cannot be forced into the job as his reactions to his work reflects in the animal.

All officers, therefore, must volunteer. From this list they are carefully screened and selected. First, they must meet certain requirements:

(a) They must live in their own home. This home must have adequate ground or a yard to house and care for a dog.

(b) The officer's wife and family must be investigated from the stand point of willingness and approval.

(c) They must have available an automobile to use at all times.

(d) Their personnel record with the department must be good.

(e) Sufficient practical police experience or knowledge before being assigned to unit.

The cost of the K-9 Corps consists of the salary of the personnel assigned to the unit plus an estimated" figure of $200 per year per dog.

(This latter figure is based on the cost of food, equipment and veterinary charges.)

All dogs have been donated outright to the department for use in police work. They must be German Shepherd dogs (male) sound of body, physically fit and of good even temperament-neither vicious nor shy, and preferably under 3 years of age.

No kennel facilities are provided. Each dog is assigned to an officer and from that point on lives with him at his home. The fact that the dog is with the officer constantly not only provides a closer bond of relationship between man and dog, but it also eliminates the necessity of the erection of expensive kennels and the personnel to staff same.

Food is purchased by the department and distributed to the individual officer as required. This food consists of a kennel biscuit and canned horse meat or beef.

Each officer is taught to train his own dog. The dog is first trained, in basic obedience, and tested for gun shyness. Next, attack work and then trailing (location of lost persons or criminals). Finally, the dog is trained to locate articles or materials that could be used as evidence. (It is extremely important in the attack training that the dog attacks only on command of his handler and releases immediately when told.)

Members of the K-9 Corps are assigned to the Headquarters Roster and they are available for use any\~here in the city. This unit operates on a three shift basis. Shifts No.1 and No.3 work concurrently between the hours of 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. Shift No.2 works the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This results in an officer working two weeks of night work followed by one week of day work. There is also a small force operating on the streets in radio cars between the hours of 1 a.m. and 9 a.m.

During the day shift the training of the men and dogs is intensified and developed. All men on the day shift are on a standby basis for emergencies, but, by the rotation method, a small force operates in radio equipped vehicles and occasionally on foot, on the street during the daylight hours. (It is important that both officers and dogs continue in their training to keep up their effectiveness and to increase their ability.)

Officers of the Corps and their dogs are assigned to sections of the city where crime is most prevalent. They replace manpower due to the fact that additional officers need not be assigned to these areas. The actual area in which the dog is to operate is given to each District Commander via teletype on Monday of each week so that he can utilize the assignment of extra men to areas other than those covered by dogs.

Primarily, a dog and officer work on foot and are assigned two posts instead of one. These dogs are always worked on leash and only released when actually necessary to apprehend a criminal. However, 4 radio patrol cars are utilized-one being the Monitor Sergeant. The dogs ride in the cars with these officers and, being mobile, are very effective in taking calls anywhere in the city.

Possibly the greatest value of police dogs lies in their mere presence on the street. The psychological effect has been tremendous and their deterrent effect on crime cannot be measured.

Primarily they are assigned to areas where assaults, purse snatchings and yokings (muggings) are most prevalent. However, the dogs are very effective in dispersing and controlling crowds, in searching buildings, in assisting with arrests and the actual apprehension of criminals.

They are also detailed (during visiting hours) in the vicinity of our hospitals as a preventive measure against purse snatchings and assaults, etc.

Their function is not to replace the Post Officer, but to work in conjunction with him, keeping in mind that their effectiveness is greatest on the public streets and in the city parks.

Upon requests, the members of the Corps demonstrate the use of their trained dogs at both private and public functions throughout the city, and the adjacent counties.

These exhibitions are most interesting and the requests have become so numerous that we find it impossible to comply with all of them. We have established excellent public relations through these demonstrations.

As of this date, the Baltimore City Police Department is utilizing the services of 40 trained dogs. At the present time, we have 18 officers and dogs patrolling the streets of Baltimore on foot each night, in addition there are 4 radio patrol cars each with officer and dog.

The Canine (K-9) Corps occupies a building formerly used as a Police Station. The detention cells in this building are occasionally used for housing our dogs. The building is spacious and contains ample space for expansion. Much of the training during inclement weather takes place in the basement of this building. There is also an out-of-doors fenced in training area which is situated in one of our city parks within close proximity to our present quarters.

The general public has accepted this program wholeheartedly and the press has been most cooperative. The entire program has had the desired effect, and that possibly can be summed up in this brief statement-"You can argue with a Police Officer, but you cannot argue with his dog."

ARRESTS :

Assault and Robbery................................................4 Cases.

Assault........................................................................56 Cases

Larceny.......................................................................21 Cases

Disturbing the Peace...............................................18 Cases

Drunk on the Street.................................................28 Cases

Deadly Weapons......................................................17 Cases

Trespassing.......................................... …………......1 Case

Vagrancy .....................................................................8 Cases

Indecent Exposure....................................................5 Cases

Burglary......................................................................18 Cases

Tampering 'With Automobiles.........………............1 Case

Cruelty to Animals....................................................15 Cases

Disorderly Conduct...............................................275 Cases

Purse Snatch...............................................................2 Cases

Escapees From Penal Institution......…………….6 Cases

Radio Cars of the K-9 Corps responded to 2404 calls.

Buildings searched..........……....................240

Wooded areas searched.....………………....7

Ships searched.................................................1

Television Shows....................................................3

Service Clubs and Patriotic Organizations....24

Schools......................................................................8

Cub Scouts.............................................................38

The present Caine Unit is a subunit of the Tactical Section of the Patrol Division.

The Baltimore Cainine Training Unit is a Federally certified training center.

It has assisted in the training of Canine Units for 35 American Police Departments or Federal agencies and police departments from 15 other countries.

Many of the dogs trained here have achived the American Kennel Club's Champion Dog Certificate and/or Tracking Degree.

The K-9 Unit has almost a 50 year history, provided excellent service to the citizens of Baltimore and has been an intergral and indispensable part of the Patrol Division.

The new Druid Hill Park Canine Facility was Dedicated on January 28,1983.