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I began my career with the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department in September 1989.  I have worked in the Superior Courthouse, Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center and patrol.  In September 1996 I tested for and was selected to become a handler in the Sheriff’s Canine Detail. My interests in canines started much before my assignment on the detail.  I was an associate member of the detail for several years. During training days I would take on the roll of “bad guy” and assist in training scenarios.  During that time I assisted in helping several of the canine handlers train their canines to take the certification test.

I have worked four different canines during my time in detail.  I started out with a German Shepherd Dog named Quart.  Quart was imported from Germany and was personally purchased by me.  Up until 1999 handlers had to personally own their canine partners.  The K9’s were rented back by the county with a monthly stipend paid to the handlers.  I worked Quart for one year.  During that time I had some training issues with him, which we were unable to overcome.  I sold Quart and purchased a Belgian Malinois named Bruno from Adlerhorst International.  Bruno was a very interesting K9.  He was very good at his job and enjoyed it immensely.  Bruno and I had great success during the three years that we worked together.  We made numerous apprehensions of wanted persons, assisted patrol officers and detectives on many calls helping make their jobs safer and easier and we conducted many public demonstrations.  In 1999 the Sheriff’s Department made a change in the training philosophy from find and bite to stand off and bark.  The department also made the change to county owned canines.  Because of this change and the fact that Bruno had many more years left in him as a police canine I sold him to a vendor to be placed with another police department.

As well as training and handling of my own canine in 1999 I took on the responsibilities of the detail trainer.  I oversee the weekly maintenance training.  I create realistic training scenarios for the canines to train through.  I help the canines and their handlers with any problems they may be having.  I also locate, test and select new canines prospects for the detail.  I train the new canines and their handlers to the level of certification.  I also oversee annual certification of the individual working teams.

In September 2005 my canine partner Cezar due to a weakness in his left rear hip that was affecting his ability to work as a police canine.  Cezar and I worked together for over five years.  I will certainly miss having him in the car with me.  Cezar is going to be living the life of luxury at home with my family once he learns how to slow down and enjoy retirement. 

In September 2005 I began training my current canine Clint. Clint is a Belgian Malinois who was born August 2004.  Vohne Liche Kennels in Indiana imported Clint from Holland.  Clint is very young, but he has taken to training like he was a much older dog.  Clint completed his training in only twenty-seven training days.  He took his California Police Canine Certification test October 29 2005.  He was flawless on the test.  I was very proud of him.  Clint is very responsive to me and enjoys working.  I am looking forward to a long and exciting career working with him.

Clint is a member of my family and enjoys playing with my children.  He is a joy to be around both at home and work.  Life as a canine handler is exciting, rewarding, demanding and a way of life that I get a pleasure of being part of.

K9 CLINT DURING TRAINING - SEARCH AND APPREHENSION
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Video Clip of Deputy Rick Kemp re-directing K9 Clint from one “bad guy” to another.