GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Green Bay Police Department K9 Vader has been working with Officer Tom Conley since July.
Conley said the two train twice a month to maintain Vader’s skills.
“We have a maintenance training twice a month. So we go over continued detection work, patrol work, patrol scenarios, general obedience,” Conley said.
The training also focuses on helping Conley understand Vader’s responses.
PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – It was a heartbreaking loss for the Portland Police Bureau as K-9 “Kylo” was killed in the line of duty, on what was scheduled to be his very last shift. He died from his injuries in an officer-involved shooting.
A somber salute was given from Portland Police as they said goodbye to one of their own.
“I mean, let’s face it, we love our animals and as a pet owner, you know, we really value that relationship but I will tell you the relationship between a K9 officer and the K9 dog is significant,” said PPB Chief Bob Day.
Kylo served the Portland community for six years. He was hurt Thursday afternoon during an officer-involved shooting near Southeast 97th and Oak street. Investigators said multiple agencies confronted a wanted suspect before gunfire erupted. The suspect died at the scene and Kylo was rushed to two emergency veterinary offices, but could not be saved.
“When I learned that this was Kylo’s last day of service, I felt like that made this even more of a sad situation. K9’s play such an important role in police work, and I’m sure that the handler and Kylo had a close relationship,” said Oregon Humane’s Laura Klink.
For Chief Bob Day, it brings back painful memories of 2014, when PPB lost K-9 Mick.
“You know, they spend probably more time together one-on-one than either one of them spend with anyone else. You know, and to watch them work is really a thing of beauty and to see them step up and take the risk on our behalf, this isn’t the first one we’ve lost. I was the incident commander when we lost Mick about 10 or 11 years ago, they’re a part of our family. They’re a part of our family,” said Day.
An end-of-watch procession honored Kylo outside Oregon Humane, saluting six years of dedicated service to the city.
“We know how much of valued member of their team he was, and a day like today is very sad for Portland Police, we saw it today with the huge procession, and support for Portland Police and I think that says a lot about Kylo’s work over the years and what a value he was to the community,” said Klink.
WHITESBORO — A new police K9 named for a fallen Marine from Holland Patent was introduced Sunday, Sept. 27, during a dinner honoring Gold Star families at Hart’s Hill Inn.
Following the national anthem and a presentation of the colors, Oneida County Sheriff Robert M. Maciol introduced Blaise, named in honor of Marine Lance Cpl. Blaise A. Oleski. Oleski died April 8, 2009, at age 22 while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan.
Blaise is a 20-month-old black Belgian Malinois trained to detect explosives. Maciol said the dog will search venues before large public gatherings, including the Boilermaker and the Heart Run. The Sheriff’s Office acquired Blaise through a New York State Homeland Security grant.
“They play a very, very important role in security for our community … Blaise probably thinks he’s working right now,” Maciol said. “He will be the one making sure that — whether it’s an auditorium, a stadium, a large public venue — he’s going to be the one making sure that that is safe to enter before some big events occur in our community.”
Blaise’s handler, Sgt. Mike Baker of the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, is also from Holland Patent. Members of the Oleski family attended the introduction.
“We are just grateful that he will carry on the name of your son,” Maciol told them.
The Gold Star Families Day dinner was presented by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 944.
Who is U.S. Army Capt. Latoiya Templeton? That’s a question even she struggled to answer.
“Oh gosh, I am so many things, I am a mom, I’m a veterinarian, I’m a sister, I’m a daughter. All the things,” said Templeton, Joint Base Andrews branch chief assigned to the Veterinary Readiness Activity, Fort Belvoir.
Templeton grew up on the south side of Chicago to 17-year-old parents. It wasn’t an easy life growing up, she described her early childhood as a community effort to raise her and her siblings. But it was those formative years that pointed her toward her true calling. Her parents and grandparents, including a grandfather who enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1958, paved the way with a simple message: “There’s nothing you can’t do.”
“The thing I saw growing up was so much need,” said Templeton. “It was very important to me, whatever my purpose was, would be giving back, in which ever way I was most effective.”
And that was as a veterinarian.
A few weeks before her third year of veterinarian school, Templeton gave birth to her daughter, Kennedy. Describing that as one of her defining moments in life, veterinary school and a newborn was an unthinkable challenge. Templeton was given the option to delay her schooling by a year or to continue juggling classes and a brand-new daughter. She chose to continue with her classes to graduate on time.
“Everybody helped out, even with the little things,” said Templeton. “They left it up to me, to write my own path and I knew I could bet on myself.”
Her professors were very helpful, allowing their classes to be didactic, which meant that she was able to sit at home and listen to lectures, one of the first time this was allowed at the Ohio State University.
“I think that’s why I advocate so hard for the dogs, because a lot of times we’re doing things one way, but that’s not the only way to do it,” said Templeton. She emphasized that someone must be brave enough to voice an alternative and dedicated enough to run with the vision.
Capt. Templeton arrived at Joint Base Andrews in December 2025 but didn’t fully take over as the Branch Chief at JBA until April 2026. Responsibility for the largest operational MWD kennel in the Air Force with 36 dogs was daunting for Templeton, but that didn’t deter her from tackling the challenge.
“If I can have a kid in vet school, if I if I can direct commission into the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps at age 38 … it reminds me that I can do this too,” she said.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has organised a refresher training course for its Canine Unit dog handlers, facilitated by two German technical dog handling experts, aimed at sharpening the operational skills of handlers and their service dogs in narcotics detection.
The training, which held at the NDLEA Canine Unit Facility in Lagos, was organised in collaboration with the German Bundeskriminalamt (BKA) and conducted by technical dog handlers: Mr. Andreas Roscher, and Ms. Jacqueline Shüler, who brought international best practices to bear on the training of Nigerian handlers.
Eleven personnel of the Canine Unit, comprising the Unit Commander, two veterinary doctors and eight dog handlers alongside their service dogs, participated in the course, which also had five other officers from Commands within Lagos who have indicated interest in joining the Canine Unit.
The training covered advanced obedience and control, narcotics detection techniques including scent imprinting and search patterns, real-life simulation exercises at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) baggage hall, APM Terminals Apapa, MMIA NAHCO export shed, and handler safety and tactics for deployment of canine assets in high-risk areas.
Speaking on the training, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the exercise as another demonstration of the Agency’s commitment to building a highly skilled and professional workforce capable of matching the sophistication of modern drug trafficking networks.
The El Dorado Springs Police Department has added a new K-9 team to its ranks, pairing Officer Ashley Taylor with Sabre, a two-and-a-half-year-old German shepherd trained in narcotics and firearms detection.
Taylor, originally from Northern California, moved to Missouri 13 years ago in search of a new life and new opportunities. She has been with the El Dorado Springs Police Department for two years. She attended the Central Missouri Police Academy in Warrensburg and previously worked in Warsaw, Missouri.
Taylor’s path to law enforcement has included significant challenges. A serious car accident while she was on her way to work left her temporarily disabled with a fractured neck and required her to wear a neck brace for more than nine months. Through determination and perseverance, Taylor recovered and returned to the work she loves — helping people and keeping the community safe.
Taylor recently traveled to Midlothian, Texas, for K-9 training at Sector K9, a nonprofit working-dog training organization and shelter rescue program. For two weeks, Taylor and Sabre trained together, with a focus on narcotics detection.
Working dogs use their powerful sense of smell to detect illegal drugs, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Sabre’s story is also one of second chances. The German shepherd was rescued from euthanasia at a shelter before entering Sector K9’s Rescue2Rescue program. The program obtains rescue dogs and trains and certifies them and their handlers as K-9 teams for duties including narcotics detection, search and rescue, tracking and firearms detection.
Taylor spoke candidly about challenges she faced in her youth and how guidance from a police officer helped her overcome a difficult situation she faced before a judge. Those experiences have given her empathy for people struggling with drug use and homelessness.
Being a police officer and first responder can also take an emotional toll, Taylor said.
“We see a lot of death, by drugs, by suicide. We respond to many mental health crises,” she said.
Rural Missourians die at a rate of up to 22 per 100,000 residents, higher than the state’s urban areas and overall average. Taylor said shortages in primary care, a lack of mental health providers and drug dependency could contribute to the problem.
“Whenever I encounter someone that’s in this situation, I let them know that no matter the situation they are in, they are worth it, and there is help,” Taylor said.
Taylor has helped guide some community members toward getting clean and continues to communicate with them, offering support when needed.
Sabre’s training focused primarily on narcotics and firearms detection. Taylor said the type of training also helps make her partner less territorial.
“She’s a lover,” Taylor said.
Taylor and Sabre respond to calls when the municipality or first responders need a K-9 team, whether for a traffic stop, at a school or in another situation requiring their assistance.
Taylor said she enjoys her work and, even after her accident, is “thriving” in the law enforcement environment. She hopes to someday become part of a special response team.
She also enjoys interacting with community members and encouraging others to pursue their passions and accomplish what they set out to do, regardless of the obstacles they face.
Officers visited six licensed premises in Paignton recently as they searched for illegal drugs with the help of Police Dog Jasper and his handler.
The Pubs Against Drugs operation, which aimed to disrupt the use of recreational drugs by deterring people using, carrying or supplying them, took place in the busy town on a Friday night in August.
Acting Police Sergeant Lamont, of the South Devon Performance Team, said: “This was a very well thought out and researched operation organised to remind and reassure the public that we, as the Police – along with our partner agencies – will not tolerate the use of drugs.
“We are proactive on this topic and generally find overwhelming support from our local communities whilst delivering these initiatives. We wanted to ensure that this helped set the tone as our summer draws to a close. Drugs are not welcome in South Devon.
“Not only that, but it’s an opportunity for us to encourage people to make safe decisions and to enjoy a safe night out without drugs.
“We would like to encourage local people to report any drug offences in their area to us – we are interested in information no matter how big or small it may seem.”
More than 10 stop searches were carried out, resulting in five individuals being found in possession of small quantities of drugs. Each admitted the offence and was issued with a Community Resolution (CR).
As part of the resolution, they are required to complete a mandatory online diversionary course designed to discourage future drug use and increase awareness of the impact drugs can have, not only on individuals themselves but also on the wider community.
A/Sgt Lamont added: “The purpose of CRs is to divert people from possessing or using drugs, and it’s proven that issuing these resolutions leads to better outcomes in preventing re-offending.”
The operation was carried out by the South Devon Performance Team, Neighbourhood Support Team, Professional Development Unit and Paignton Police Neighbourhood Team.
YORK, Pa. — The York County Sheriff’s Office on Monday introduced its newest K9 officer.
Writing on its Facebook page, the Sheriff’s Office officially welcomed K9 Officer Mason to its department.
Mason, a bloodhound, successfully completed training with the National Association of Professional Canine Handlers, along with his partner, Corporal Rick Wolf, the Sheriff’s Office said.
“The York County Sheriff’s Office has a long and proud tradition of working with bloodhounds,” the Facebook post said. “K9 Mason will carry on the legacy established by K9 Lou and K9 Prince, continuing a tradition of service that has played an important role in our community for many years.”
According to the Sheriff’s Office, bloodhounds provide an invaluable resource to law enforcement, assisting in the tracking of fugitives and locating missing and endangered persons.
“They also serve a vital role as members of the York County District Attorney’s Office C.A.R.E. Team (Child Abduction Response Effort), where their specialized tracking abilities can be critical during the most urgent and challenging investigations,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Mason’s training began when he was just 10 weeks old. Over the past six months, Wolf and Mason “dedicated countless hours to developing and mastering the skills necessary to become a successful tracking team,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
In addition to the York County Sheriff’s Office’s in-house trainers and master trainer, Jim and Terry Heck of Summit Search and Rescue generously assisted with Mason’s training and development, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Mason and Wolf were officially certified last week. Less than 24 hours after finishing their training, Wolf and Mason were called to assist with their first search, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The K9 officer and his partner were asked to help search for a local senior who was missing after leaving his home. Mason was able to pick up the man’s scent, and he and Wolf were following the track when other officers were able to find the man — who was further along the path Mason was tracking, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
“We are proud to have (Mason) as part of the York County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit, and we look forward to watching you carry on the proud bloodhound tradition of K9 Lou and K9 Prince,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
GLEN ROCK, NJ — The Glen Rock NJ Dog Park will host a special community ceremony on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 5 p.m. to dedicate a new 9/11 Search & Rescue Dog Statue, honoring the heroic dogs and handlers who served in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
US forces have offered an insight into their military dog training at a UK air base.
