K-9 Unit in Apprehension Training

A little-known fact is that K-9 units, defined by a qualifying dog and his handler, train together extensively, and that’s no easy feat for the police officer or the dog.

Canby has had several K-9 units. Most recently, Sergeant Chris Scharmota and Puck, a Labrador “dope dog,” worked to detect narcotics such as cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin in the Clackamas Area. The relationship between canine and handler is close from the start of training. It’s built on trust and lasts a lifetime in some cases. Puck recently retired to live with Sergeant Scharmota. The Canby Police Department hopes to expand its K-9 unit to keep pace with a growing department and city.

Enter Creed — named for Apollo Creed, not the band — and Officer Taylor Young, his K-9 handler. “We are a team,” Officer Young is quick to say of his working relationship with the 2-year-old, 91-pound Czech-Shepherd. Creed is an “apprehension dog” that responds to one-word commands in German. Officer Young wears many hats. He has a bachelor’s in criminology and criminal science from Portland State. He instructs officers in less-lethal and taser-use responses. He’s a field training officer, and he has received additional training in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE).

As of yet, the new K-9 team is not being deployed to the streets. A lot has to happen first. Creed’s journey started in the Czech Republic, where as a young dog, he received basic training. From there, he was shipped to Adlerhorst K-9 (Ontario, California) for more training in basic commands. Next, Officer Shawn Debler, Patrol Chair of the Oregon Police K-9 Association, makes selections for K-9 recruits, and here Creed has already made the grade. Now, both he and Officer Young will train for six to eight weeks with Officer Debler at the Gresham Police Department. The next phase, starting Oct. 28, is basic training for police dogs and their trainers. Creed and his handler must gain their certification in six to eight weeks. A confident Officer Young says, “By week five or six, we would like to have him certified.” But Creed’s job will never be about apprehending anything less than felonious criminals. “His job is to safely apprehend violent criminals,” says Officer Young. “There’s a use of force continuum that has to be taken into account. The court requires us to look at it through a different lens.” When K-9 units are used, volumes of paperwork must follow — and Officer Young likes to play jazz when he is completing reports and the necessary documentation.

For now, Creed lives with Officer Young because establishing a bond is essential for the hard work they will be doing. The relationship has to be positive, trusting and encouraging. Officer Debler has instructed Officer Young to feed Creed by hand. He eats a healthy meal of brown rice and chicken. “All good and positive things must come from his handler right now,” says Officer Young, who is quick to say that Creed is not a pet, not his dog. “He is the city’s dog, another option for us out on the street.” His job is to keep the community safe. But it’s some relief that he can also aid in keeping patrol officers from harm.

The qualities needed in a police dog are what you would imagine and one thing more: They have to be quick, strong, loyal and certainly aggressive. But like their best friend, man, he or she must balance those traits with a comprehension of love and affection. Officer Young and Creed will work 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Creed will ride in an outfitted Ford Explorer. His mobile kennel will be equipped with everything he needs to be comfortable, including air conditioning.

Just how good can a K-9 unit be at the job of catching felons? A recent story about a certain Officer Farmer and his canine partner Ronnie answers the question. Canines possess an incredible sense of smell. Ronnie and Officer Farmer had just captured a suspect, but their day was not done. The suspect had thrown his gun under a tractor in the process of fleeing. Ronnie dove under the tractor and came out with the suspect’s gun in his mouth. “That’s how good the nose is,” says Officer Young, and adds, “I hope something like that can happen for Creed and I.”