K-9 unit to join Sheriff’s Office

By Krystal J. Carman The Claremore Daily Progress Fri Feb 05, 2010, 10:14 AM CST

February 5, 2010 — Next month, the Rogers County Sheriff’s Office will welcome it’s newest officer, who is not human, but will be a big asset to the office.

“Sandy” will join the department in March as the new K-9 unit with partner Lt. Adam Hull.

The dog, who will be used as a patrol/narcotics dog, was purchased for the sheriff’s office by Healthy Community Partnership, who is also outfitting Hull’s vehicle to be dog friendly.

“The car will have a dog cage and what they call a ‘hot and pop’ system,” Hull said. “I will be able to use a remote to pop open the door if I need the dog in a hurry.”

All this comes at a cost — around $11,000 — and HCP is footing the bill with a stipulation.

“We asked in the agreement for the sheriff’s office to take the dog to two schools a week,” Trisha DeLozier said. “We don’t think they’re going to find anything, but if the kids see the dog there on a regular basis, then they’ll know not to bring drugs to school.”

Hull and “Sandy” plan to visit rural schools in Rogers County and will interact with the students at each campus.

This won’t be Hull’s first go round with a K-9 partner. He was the first handler and partner to “Hagen,” the K-9 unit with the Chelsea Police Department. And even though Hull has already completed training with his former K-9 partner, he will undergo 80 hours of additional training with “Sandy” and then participate in continual training each week.

“You have to have continual training or the dog will be no good to the department,” Hull said.

In addition to making a presence at the schools in the county, DeLozier also said HCP has asked Hull to attend events in the county such as the county fair and the Bluegrass & Chili Festival.

“Again, we don’t think they’ll find anything, but it is a protective factor, a deterrent, and it’s nice to have the visibility,” DeLozier said.

HCP has already provided a narcotics dog for the Claremore Police Department.

These and other programs such as the prescription take back program in Claremore are funded by HCP through the Cherokee Nation and a grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrataion (SAMHSA). Those funds are to be used to prevent drug and alcohol abuse in Rogers County.

The Chelsea community is slated to set up a prescription take back program in as well. DeLozier said they are targeting April to begin that program.

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