Police use specially trained dogs, or canines (K-9), to
locate illegal narcotics, search for lost children, find fleeing suspects,
and sniff for explosives. Each K-9 is a specially selected and trained
animal. K-9s and their human counterparts, the handler, attend
training together.
In June 2006 the Macomb Police Department began
fundraising for the purchase of two police K-9’s and equipment. In October
2006 the department purchased two canines from Chad Larner (Vohne Larney
Kennels).
In February 2007 Officer’s Kennedy and Renfroe took
possession of the canines. In March 2007 Officer’s Kennedy and Renfroe
attended a Full Service Canine Training Class in Springfield Illinois. The
class was taught at the Illinois State Police Academy. The class totaled 320
hours of training for each team.
The canines are trained in Obedience, Agility,
Narcotics, Tracking,
Building Searches, Article
Searches, Area Searches, Criminal Apprehension,
and Officer Protection.
The Macomb Police K-9 Unit trains at least 16 hours a
month in all areas that the canines are trained in. The canines recertify
every six months through the Illinois State Police in all the areas.
Officer Kennedy’s canine is a Dutch Shepard, named
Casino.
Officer Renfroe’s canine is a Belgian Malinois, named Voodoo.
Illegal Narcotic
Detection: The K9’s are trained to locate and alert on cannabis,
cocaine, crack, heroin, and methamphetamine. Our dogs are passive alert to
the odors. This means they will sit, stay, or lay down at the presence of
these odors. They are able to search vehicles, buildings, areas, schools,
and items.
Tracking: The K9’s are
trained to track/trail human odor and crushed vegetation. They are able to
track both rural and urban areas. This can be used to locate fleeing
suspects, or lost individuals that left in a known direction.
Apprehension: The
teams are trained to apprehend suspects on command. They will also
apprehend suspects at the end of tracks and during building searches as the
situation dictates. The use of a K9 in this capacity is based on current
case law and department policy. Our K9’s will use this skill at their own
discretion when defending itself or the handler.
Article Searches: The
teams can be used to locate items that were either discarded or hidden in
large areas such as field or road ditches. The dogs will locate the items
and lay down with them between their front paws. The dogs are trained to
locate the human odor on the articles, not the actual odor of the articles.
Building Searches: The
teams can be utilized to search buildings prior to sending in officers.
This is used when it is believed that there is likelihood that a suspect
remains inside a building, is committing a felony and is a possible danger
to officers. To use this skill the building must be secured except for the
point of entry and all attempts to make sure innocent parties are not inside
the building. The dog will be sent in after announcements are made from the
entrance by the handler. When the dog locates a suspect, an apprehension
will be made and continued until the handler orders the release of the
suspect from the K9.
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