K-9 Unit
In the latter months of 2008, Newport Police Department reached out to the community for support in an effort to obtain a K-9 team for drug detection work. “Friends of Newport K-9” began fundraising efforts within the community to raise $70,000 in order to purchase a police service dog and provide training for an Officer who will be part of the K-9 team.
On November 7, 2008, Officer T.J. Eriksen traveled to Portland to pick up Eyan, a two year-old German Shepherd, flown from the Czech Republic to Portland International Airport.
K-9 teams enhance a department’s ability to respond to emergencies, particularly in the areas of Officer protection, drug detection, tracking, area and building searches, and apprehension of suspects. Canines can perform these functions more quickly, efficiently, and safely than officers on foot.
The K-9 team provides a significant resource to assist our personnel and other law enforcement agencies in the area, in carrying out their duties, and this ultimately results in cost savings to the taxpayers. Law enforcement agency K-9 teams are deployed on various patrol shifts and are also available for callout as necessary. The teams dedicate approximately eight hours to monthly maintenance training to demonstrate ongoing proficiency in their work, but in reality, every day is training when working with police service dogs. Obedience is the most important aspect of training and is the foundation for the successful performance of the other skills required of police service dogs. |
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K-9 teams promote an atmosphere of community awareness and positive public relations through programs and K-9 demonstrations presented for groups, organizations and school children. This ongoing positive interaction with the youth and citizens of the community, coupled with their continued support and collaborative efforts, results in an effective and well maintained K-9 Program of which any community can be proud. Questions concerning the Newport Police K-9 Fund can be addressed to Officer T.J. Eriksen at 541-265-4852 or by email. |
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Newport Police Department - (541)-574-3348
