Captain Shaffer presented a K9 demonstration with K9 Falco. Falco is a duel purpose patrol dog. He is able to find the odor of narcotics, track and detain people and do article searches. Falco did a couple of demonstrations for the kids and Captain Shaffer answered questions about police work and K9 work.
Detective Stockdale presented patrol horse MO. Prior to MO becoming a patrol horse for the Sheriff’s Office he was certified in search and rescue. MO has been to many parades, community events and is utilized in search and rescue here in Bates County.
The kids got to hear how each of these animals are unique and play a role in the operations of the Sheriff’s Office. Just like patrol cars, drones, UTVs, ATVs and ground searchers each tool has an appropriate time and place to be used.
Our volunteers also brought a paint horse called Sarge, owned by Cameron Anderson and a buckskin horse, named Draco owned by Jacie Warren. Both of these horses are acquainted with the program and associated with the Volunteer Sheriff’s Posse Program. The kids received rides on the horses and were able to love on them.
The purpose of our Animals in Service Program is to show the next generation that there are many programs within the Law Enforcement Career that they can pursue. Our hopes is that we sparked a little law enforcement flame in one of the kids to be the next generation of law enforcement.
