Capital K9s

A patrol canine unit increases departmental efficiency, while enhancing the safety of both officers and the community. Studies have shown that building searches are quicker and more effective when a dog is used than when officers alone are involved, with a significant increase in officer safety. Just the presence of a canine tends to encourage quicker compliance in situations that might otherwise have become confrontational.

The K9 teams provide other benefits as well. When not being utilized on a K9 request or doing on-duty training, the patrol K9 handlers assist by backing up patrol officers on non-K9 calls, take primary on minor investigations and perform traffic enforcement.

From 2005-2007, the MPD Patrol K9 unit has been utilized as follows:

Total K9 Deployments 1,833 including:

Narcotics 957

Patrol 876

Tracks 313

Building Searches 164

Evidence Searches 111

Area Searches 63

Outside Cover 124

Seizures:

THC 13,567 grams (30+ pounds)

Cocaine/Cocaine Base 41,642 grams (92+ pounds)

US Currency $142,486

Firearms 9

Vehicles 3

Police Dog Nabs Suspect - Johnny got his man.

4/22/09 - The Capital Times

Johnny, a six-year-old Belgian Malinois dog is on the Madison Police Department's K-9 unit, and was brought in to help arrest Andre Parson, a man wanted and searched for by the police.
Johnny not only found Parson but kept the suspect under watchful eye while his partner, Officer Jim Donnell, walked up and made the arrest.
Police learned Parson, on the lam from a probation hold, was in the Turbot Drive/Sunfish Court area early in the afternoon on April 14.
"Andre Parson had eluded officers several times in the past, fleeing on foot, avoiding capture," said police spokesman Joel DeSpain.
Detectives asked for a K-9 unit, and Johnny came to the scene.
"Officers spotted the subject and began a foot pursuit," DeSpain said. "Officer Donnell cut through a backyard and spotted Parson, so he released Johnny."
Once Johnny was on the spot, Parson's days of avoiding capture were over.
"Parson immediately stopped, stood perfectly still and put his hands in the air," DeSpain said.
"Officer Donnell ordered Johnny to stop the pursuit, which he did," DeSpain said. "Johnny then stood directly in front of Parson, while Officer Donnell walked up and made the arrest."