Waiting for it to hit the fan...
Winter of 1969: MPDC Officer Bill Tinsley with BULLET, and Diane Halcombe sister to Anne Halcombe, ( above in the CDU unit) of the MPDC.
1959: Private Roy L Ross shown here with his K-9 "KING". Here Private Ross is in training with his new partner. Seven dogs were added to combat the growing crime in Washington D.C. Both the K-9 and their handler have to be trained after which they become as one.
December 31st, 1959: Police line up for inspection by Chief Robert Murry (center in light jacket) along with Dog Instructor Cahill. This is the start of the first K-9 unit for the Metropolitan Police. Officers from left to right are Private John Drass with FRITZ, Private Elden Ernest with SPOOK, Private Bill Newman with MARK, Private Warren Flanagan with VON, Private William Corcoran with BELLA, Private Roy Ross with KING, and Sgt. William Wright with PRINCE.
April 1961: The 100 Year Anniversary of the MPDC
L-
January 9th, 1993
A Day in the life of a Police Dog
(District Chronicles)
ALDO: DC K-9 Unit" is printed in bold navy blue lettering on the side of the vehicle. Fully equipped with sirens, a police radio, multiple antennae, and a computer mounted on the dashboard, this is Aldo's car. The engine starts and the car pulls out of the D.C. K-9 unit parking lot. Before long a round of agitated barking, whimpering, and growling begins to sound from what should be the back seat of the vehicle.
"Aldo! Be quiet," commands Officer Emmanuel Smith, who is driving the vehicle. "He's just nervous. Aldo's not used to riding with anyone but me," Officer Smith says.
If you have not guessed, Aldo is a canine. He is one of the youngest and smallest dogs currently working in the Metropolitan Police Department's K-9 Unit. The unit consists of about 31 specially bred German Shepherds and their handlers. Only male dogs work in the K-9 unit. Most of them are trained to work as patrol dogs. However, there are a few that specialize in detecting narcotics, bombs, and cadavers.
Each officer has his or her own assigned dog, and though they are the property of Metropolitan Police, officers treat the dogs as their own. Outside of work, the dogs live with their handlers. This strengthens the bond that must exist between dog and handler.
Many people hold the misconception that patrol dogs are vicious animals that should be feared. The reality is they are just like any other dog.
"My kids love Aldo. At home he's just the family dog. He doesn't do anything that [he] isn't told to do," Officer Smith said. Smith has been working with DC's K-9 unit for the past five years. He has been Aldo's handler since Feb. 2002.
The work of a patrol dog is very demanding. On average, patrol dogs are retired after working only six to eight years. They go through 14 weeks of vigorous training before they are certified to work. Afterwards, they are retrained and re-certified on a regular basis.
Only 1 and 1/2 years old and weighing about 60 pounds, Aldo has become one of the shining stars of the K-9 unit. "Aldo is extremely intelligent and obedient for such a young dog. He is only going to get better at his job as he gets older," Officer Smith said.
One patrol dog is capable of doing the work of several officers. Their speed, strength, agility, and keen sense of smell all combine to make them much more effective in apprehending criminals and suspicious items.
"It only takes one handler and his dog to search a building. The SWAT team may need as many as 10 officers to do the same job," said Officer Smith.
The job of a patrol dog differs from day to day. A dog may go for as long as three days with out being called to the streets. Patrol dogs are used only in felonies and other high profile crimes, which include burglaries, shootings, homicides, and barricades. The K-9 Unit also assists in controlling mass demonstrations, performing presidential or dignitary escorts, and providing protection at other events involving high profile individuals.
"I've met many famous people while working with the K-9 unit," said Smith. "Patti LaBelle, Colin Powell, and Bill Clinton are only a few of these individuals."
Besides carrying out their everyday duties, patrol dogs may also compete in competitions on a regional or national level, held by the United States Police Canine Association. "The D.C. K-9 Unit has many dogs that have placed well in competition," said Sergeant Marcos Cobrales, who has been a dog handler since 1989. Officer Smith's first patrol dog Nijer was an award-winning dog. He hopes to win more awards competing with Aldo in the future.
When asked why they joined D.C.'s K-9 Unit, many of the officers said the love of dogs had a lot to do with it. They feel dogs make the best partners.
"I was and am still amazed at what these dogs can do," said Officer Kelvin Dyson.
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Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police
M.P.D.
K-9 Unit
DUSTY
A Washington D.C. K-9 Officer proudly showing his K-9 kids to some D.C. school children
BlackSheep Productions 2009
M.P.D. K-9
K-9 King is a cadaver dog, King was instrumental in the recovery of the remains of Chandra Levy
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This is a photo of "Georgetown-1" who was handled by Bucky Giffin. Here "Georgetown-1" is shown at the age of 11 in the year 1971...
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Retired Officer Marcello N. Muzzatti is sad to report that K9 Cheko passed away on July 19, 2011. Cheko had just turned 15 years old in May. Cheko came to MPD in June of 1998 and hit the streets in September. His many apprehensions and finds on the street are credit to his training and his breed. In the past several members had purchased dogs for K9 use but it was Cheko who meet then Executive Assistant Chief Gainer and saw that a pure breed was more beneficial to the department started the purchasing of the K9’s. Cheko retired in October of 2008 after serving 10 years on the street. He was a true Police Dog. May he rest in peace while he guards the gates of Heaven.
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Officer Danny Jones was the handler for Dusty
ALDO and his handler M.P.D. Officer Emmanuel Smith
A second picture of Officer Tinsley with Bullet in the same general time frame.
Officer Scott Fike and his K-9 partner Maco
M.P.D.'s 1962 K-9 Training
Photo Provided by the M.P.D.
Photo provided by the M.P.D.
Information, stories and photos on this subject are much appreciated
MPD K-9 cruiser issued to Handler Grant Sullivan for MPDC K-9 Officer "BOO"
BOO ! !
K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9-K9
Officer Deb Wolfe is shown in the picture to the left and below (far left ). Deb proudly served with the Metropolitan Police Department as one of the the first K-9 handlers for the agency.
On the left she is with K-9 Officer " CHIEF " in 1986-- In the black and white photo she stands with K-9 Officer "DUKE " in the early 1980's.
