A before picture of the new SSD K9 Humvee

WHAT, a Military Hummer?  Yes, we have a 1993 HMMWV (High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle) otherwise known as a H1 Hummer.  The department obtained the Hummer through military surplus in 2001.  It was passed between several different divisions before coming to Special Operations Division two years ago. 

In February 2007 the Canine Detail was given the Hummer to fix up.  One would ask what is the Canine Detail going to do with a Hummer?  Well at first we asked ourselves that very question. Then it occurred to us that we are educators in sense.  We often have forums where we are able to educate children, young adults and parents in the area of drugs, firearms and gangs.  Many of the events are for schools.  Elementary, Middle and High Schools are a large part of our audience.  The members of the Detail strive to bridge the gap between students and law enforcement.  We promote self-respect and courage.  We teach courage is not fearlessness, but overcoming fear.  Courage is the ability to say no to negative peer pressure. 

We see first hand the effects of drugs, gangs and firearms within our communities.  We are always looking for platforms that will give us a common ground to talk with students; young adults and parents who may be influenced by gangs or are actual gang members.  Communication is key.  We realize some people would not cross a sidewalk to speak to a Deputy Sheriff standing near a patrol car, but standing near a tricked out Camaro or an H1 Hummer just might do the trick. 

The Hummer project would have never gotten off the ground if it were not for the gracious men and women of the B.T Collins Army Reserve Base.  Initially the Hummer was in poor running condition.  The Army Reserve mechanic’s performed their mechanical magic and brought it to a reliable running condition.  The next step was to partner up with donators to help fund our project.  Generous contributions from the Elk Grove School Police Department, Capitol Area Tow Association and Sam Johnson from B and J Towing and Body Shop were instrumental in getting the project off to a great start. 

Sam Johnson is personally donating the labor for the build up.  Having his auto body specialist’s work on the Hummer is huge.  Sam’s shop specializes in high end and custom cars needless to say we greatly appreciate his enthusiasm and support with this project.  Sam is energetic and has fabulous ideas that are helping us create a vehicle that hopefully will cause excitement. 

To date, the Hummer has had the interior lined with Ultra Truck Lining by the good people at Ultra Truck Works.  We would like to give Jesse from Ultra special thanks.  Jesse lined the interior floor in black as well as the kick plates beneath the side doors and the front bumper around the wench.  The headliner was sprayed in medium gray.  It all looks very nice and clean.  Some of the bodywork has been competed by B and J.  They have removed the caked on under coating off the suspension components and sprayed on a fresh coat of black satin paint.  They also painted the dashboard, inside the doors and beneath the hood.  They are taking care of all of the little touches that are needed in a quality restoration. 

Things on the “to do list” are; complete the body work, spray on the black and white paint to match the other Sheriff Department vehicles, replace all of the glass because the original glass was de-laminating, add a crazy amount of bright LED emergency lights, install a powerful loud thumping stereo system, get new custom tires and rims and of course install a Sheriff Radio.  It is a Sheriff vehicle for heaven sake.

We are eagerly waiting the completion of the Hummer.  We are pushing hard to have it available for up coming events during the holiday season.  So, there you have it.  Another crazy K9 vehicle one I hope we all will enjoy.