Local News
Police canine arrives this month for training
Two-year-old German Shepard and handler Cody McCoy will attend five-week training program in Michigan
OTTUMWA — The Ottumwa Police Department’s new dog will be in town before the month ends. Then the real work begins.
Sgt. Mick Hucks and Officer Cody McCoy will head to Mid-Michigan Kennels on Feb. 25 to pick up the dog. The three will return the next day. The eight-hour drive will provide plenty of time for getting to know each other.
And, like most introductions, this one will start with establishing just what the department’s four-legged member is called.
“I think his name is ‘Shark,’” Hucks said on Monday. “He’s going to have about 10 days [in Ottumwa] before going up for training.”
Hucks was off just a hair, it turns out. He got an e-mail from the kennel on Wednesday clarifying that the dog's name is "Shariek."
The introductions will be much more important for McCoy. He will be the dog’s handler. McCoy and the dog will have time in Ottumwa to settle in before heading back to Michigan for training as a team.
The 10-day period before training will be critical. It’s time for the handler and the dog to figure each other out, to really begin to understand each other. They have to become a team to be effective.
Hucks said the bulk of the training comes in a five-week course after McCoy and Shariek, a 2-year-old German shepherd, head back north. Once that is complete, the team will be fully certified for both narcotics and searching for people. The training will also determine just how and when the team starts working in Ottumwa.
“We’re going to see where he’s at when the training ends,” Hucks said.
Ottumwa’s new canine team will continue monthly training, often with other teams in the region. Call it continuing education for the furry set.
There are more canine units with area police departments than you might think. Hucks pointed to Fairfield and Oskaloosa, as well as one in Cedar Rapids and another in Washington County.
While McCoy and Shariek settle in, the department will finish off some of the work on the car they will use. Hucks said most of the work is complete, but a little more equipment needs to be installed.
Matt Milner can be reached at (641) 683-5359 or via e-mail at mmilner@ottumwacourier.com
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