Two DCSO K-9s now cross-trained in drug detection

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that two of its three patrol K-9s are now cross-trained in drug detection.

Deputy Jeremiah Johnson with K-9 Ezel and Deputy Ben Bartness with K-9 Masa recently spent four weeks participating in intensive in-service training to achieve this accomplishment, Sgt. William Bailey said.

K-9s Ezel and Msa are now certified through the Oregon Police Canine Association in both tracking and drug detection. The OPCA establishes minimum requirements for each K-9 team, and the DCSO teams recertify once each year.

Bailey said the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would also like to recognize its very own drug detection K-9 handler, Deputy Stacy Crawford. Crawford is a master trainer and vice president of OPCA.

Crawford developed the training plan and spearheaded the drug detection training which the DCSO K-9s participated last month. Crawford also assisted with training a new drug-detection K-9 with the Redmond Police Department.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office currently has four K-9 teams that serve the citizens of the county.

For more information about the Oregon Police Canine Association, visit their website at http://www.opca.com/.