After a five year absence the Sheboygan County Sheriff's Department once again is able to offer the services of a K-9 unit to the citizens of Sheboygan County. Currently, the K-9 unit is made up of one multi-purpose K-9 and handler. The goal is to add at least one more dog and handler to the unit by the end of 2006. The unit was formed by the cooperative efforts of the Sheboygan County Constable's Association and the Sheriff's Department K-9 Committee. All money used to fund this Unit was raised from the community. The Unit was formed to assist, not only, the Sheriff's Department, but also, any law enforcement agency in the surrounding area.The goals of the K-9 Unit include assisting officers in the detection of drugs and the apprehension of those individuals in possession of or dealing and trafficking those drugs. The K-9 Unit is also able to assist with the location of missing people and fugitives eluding capture. The K-9 is also able to effectively search buildings and open areas for suspects, thereby decreasing the risk for officers during crime in-progress calls.The K-9 Unit has undergone extensive training, including an initial 200 hour certification course. The K-9 is certified in a wide array of narcotic detection, building and area searches, tracking, and handler protection. There is on-going weekly training done by the handler both at the Sheriff's Department as well as at the training facility from which the dog came. The K-9 and handler are also required to undergo a yearly week long re-certification in order to maintain proficiency in all areas. The amount of training is on-going and extensive.If anyone would like further information about the K-9 Unit or to request a demonstration, please contact Deputy Brent Multer at (920) 459-3112.
