Page 15 - 2018 Overland Park Police Department Annual Report - Thursday

Canine Officers
Operations Bureau- K9
Patrol has three canine officers assigned to the division. In 2019, one handler and canine will retire from the unit. After an interview process, a new handler has been picked to join the unit. A new canine was purchased in February 2019, a German Shepherd. The handler and canine will attend training at Kansas Highway Patrol in March 2019 for certification.
Each year, the officers contribute toward our objectives and help officers with apprehensions, searches, and recoveries of narcotics. Below are some 2018 highlights of their efforts.
2018 OPPD K9 Team Stats
282 total K9 calls handled
26 building searches
10 area searches for felony suspects
127 confirmed drug hits
11 searches for evidence
129 vehicles (interiors) searched for narcotics 8 callouts
16 outside agency assists
K9 Highlights
K9 team, Ofc. Shipps and Canine Odin, completed training and certification with the Kansas Highway Patrol in 2018.
On July 13, 2018, Officer Hardin and his PSD (Jordy) responded to Merriam to assist with a K9 search of a hotel room. Merriam officers had previously searched the room and found evidence the suspect had flushed narcotics down the toilet. Jordy searched the room and indicated on the bed. Located between the mattresses was a container containing over 61 grams of methamphetamine.
On May 11, 2018, Officer Doherty along with his PSD (Gus) assisted an OPPD officer on a traffic stop. The primary officer stopped a vehicle and noted the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The officer could not locate any illegal drugs in the vehicle. Gus indicated to the dash area of the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed a hidden compartment behind the stereo. Inside the compartment was found baggies of cocaine along with several hundred dollars in cash. This contraband would not have been located and no charges would have been brought against the suspect had the canine not been utilized.
2018