K9 Team Working Hard for Westerville

DIVISION OF POLICE

TRAINING PAYS OFF FOR WPD K9 BRUNO

In his first year on the job, Westerville Division of Police (WPD) K9 Bruno is proving to be an invaluable team member alongside handler Officer Khyrell Baggoo. Trained to detect narcotics with skills in tracking, area and article searches, criminal apprehension and handler protection, Bruno continues his work since starting last November.

The two-year-old Belgian Malinois and Ofc. Baggoo have logged more than 200 hours of training, and an additional 100 hours in courses on emergency casualty care, K9 and officer advanced tactics and safety.

“Bruno and I are a team and these opportunities to learn and sharpen our skills are important to ensuring we’re using industry best practices in service to the Westerville community,” said Ofc. Baggoo.

That training pays dividends in the field. As of May 2021, Ofc. Baggoo and Bruno together have been deployed 38 times. In nearly half of those cases, Bruno detected the odor of illegal narcotics. They have assisted WPD and partnering agency investigation, leading to seven arrests and the removal of illegal drugs from the community.

In July, Bruno will receive a bullet and stab protective vest from nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The first was provided to now-retired K9 Fiji in 2018. Bruno’s vest is sponsored by Greg Nobis of Delaware, Ohio and is embroidered with “In memory of Cooper.”

Good Boy!

38 total deployments

27 traffic stops Illegal narcotics detected in 19 traffic stops

7 arrests

17 kilograms of Methamphetamine

5 kilograms of Heroin

3 Kilograms of Fentanyl

10+ lbs. of Marijuana

As of May 2021*

K9 CHLOE CERTIFIED TO WORK WITH CHILD VICTIMS

After months of getting to know the community with handler Officer Mark Wojciechowski, Westerville Division of Police (WPD) therapy K9 Chloe spent time in Florida, but not for spring break. The yellow labrador retriever traveled to Cocoa, Fla. to complete the Law Enforcement and Multidiscipline Crimes Against Children Investigative Therapy Dog Course. She also received her AKC Canine Good Citizen certification through the course.

“Chloe has already had an impact on the community as a fixture in my virtual DARE classes and visiting City buildings,” said Ofc. Wojciechowski. “With these certifications in place, the work with those who need her the most can begin.”

Her training is focused on learning how to comfort victims of trauma, meeting people in the community and other therapy duties. In Florida, she and Ofc. Wojciechowski covered a number of training topics, including obedience, behavioral observations and interview techniques.

A first-of-her-kind at WPD, Chloe’s focus in the community is assisting Ofc. Wojciechowski, a 15-year veteran of WPD, with community services, like the DARE partnership with Westerville City Schools.

With these certifications in place, Chloe is able to open up her services to the community as in-person events return.

To read about the Westerville K9 Team, visit www.westerville.org/k9.13