Tag: K-9s

DNR Gets New K9 Units And A Raise

As part of the 125th anniversary celebration of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, Gov. Jim Justice announced six new K9 units and a $6,000 raise.

As part of the 125th anniversary celebration of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) Law Enforcement Division, Gov. Jim Justice had two big announcements Tuesday.

First, he announced that the force is receiving six new K9 units. The officers and their dog partners were introduced at a ceremony at the West Virginia Culture Center Tuesday.

Second, in a surprise statement, the governor said all DNR officers will receive a $6,000 raise.

The wage increase will take effect immediately and will apply to all active WVDNR Police officers and new hires going forward. It will be paid for through an already-funded special revenue account.

“Our WVDNR Police officers do an incredible job every day protecting our state’s natural resources and keeping our state parks and forests, wildlife management areas, lakes, rivers and streams safe for folks to enjoy,” Justice said. “They deserve to be compensated for the hard work and dedication they put in day in and day out, and I am proud to announce this pay raise, which I believe will help us attract and retain the best and brightest to this important role.”

WVDNR Police officers are responsible for enforcing the state’s game and fish laws and rules relating to littering, forestry, state parks, environmental and solid waste, pleasure boating and whitewater rafting.

They also police the Hatfield-McCoy Trails system, assist the State Police and other law enforcement agencies and first responders and oversee the state’s hunter education and boating safety education programs.

Justice joined by DNR law enforcement chief Col. Bobby Cales for the ceremony to introduce the K9 units. Cales explained that all six regions of the state will receive a unit.

“The program’s primary purpose is to provide and increase support to our outdoorsmen, men and women, through article searches, search and rescue and fish and game detection,” Cales said.

All six dogs still have to complete their training with their handlers.

The WVDNR Police, which is the state’s oldest law enforcement agency, celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2022.

West Virginia Police Department Mourns Loss Of K-9 Axel

The funeral for Charleston K-9 officer Axel will take place Thursday, Sept. 1 at 2 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the Charleston Coliseum.

Updated Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022 at 10:15 a.m.

The funeral for Charleston K-9 officer Axel will take place Thursday at 2 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the Charleston Coliseum. Visitation will start at noon and is open to the public.

According to city officials, Civic Center Drive will be accessible for Coliseum and Convention Center parking. Two lanes of Quarrier Street will be closed beginning at 11 a.m. at Clendenin Street.

Charleston Police Chief James “Tyke” Hunt said K-9 Axel was shot Saturday at close range by wanted felon, 50-year-old Samuel Paul Ranson of Charleston.

Police were dispatched to a home on East Point Drive late Saturday night. Hunt said Ranson was trying to flee when he shot the police dog within “arms reach” of two police officers, including Axel’s handler, Ptl. Clendenin.

Hunt said the officers returned fire. Ranson, who was wanted on an active felony warrant of malicious wounding charges in connection with a recent stabbing, was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

A procession for K-9 Axel was held on Sunday and Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin ordered city flags to be lowered to half staff in honor of the fallen K-9.

Axel was one of six canines working with the police station. Born in the Czech Republic, the dog was brought to the department in early 2021 from a kennel in North Carolina.

“I never want to see any loss of life in the city of Charleston,” said Hunt. Even for the family members of the offender, you know that’s still someone’s son, brother, grandchild. But for us, your police department, we lost an officer.”

K-9 Axel will be honored during a funeral service later this week. Details will be announced by city officials.

Hunt said the department will submit its full report on the shooting to the Kanawha County prosecutor’s office.

New K9 Policy Sparks Protest From Some Martinsburg Residents

A new policy that'll assign police dogs to another handler has sparked protest from some Martinsburg residents.The Journal reports Martinsburg police said…

A new policy that’ll assign police dogs to another handler has sparked protest from some Martinsburg residents.

The Journal reports Martinsburg police said in a statement Saturday that supervisors will no longer be assigned as canine handlers.

Police Chief Maury Richards says a review found that supervisors couldn’t perform both tasks effectively.

The policy goes into effect May 1.

The canine handler position will be offered to patrolmen, who’ll complete a two-week training with the dog before beginning their assignments around mid-May.

Resident Melonie Phelps was joined by others as she led a rally Monday for her husband, police Sgt. Craig Phelps, to keep Argos, the department’s canine drug dog.

She says she’s devastated knowing Argos, who she considers a part of her family, will be with another handler.

K-9's, Handlers Gather for Annual Training Camp in Charleston

K-9s from across the state and their handlers have gathered in Charleston for an annual training camp.Local media outlets report the West Virginia Police…

K-9s from across the state and their handlers have gathered in Charleston for an annual training camp.

Local media outlets report the West Virginia Police Canine Association is having its conference and yearly certification meeting this week at Camp Virgil Tate in Kanawha County.

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Paxton Lively says they have about 56 to 60 dog teams that are being put to the test.

The dogs will get certified for narcotics, tracking, patrol, building searches and apprehension.

The K-9s range from bloodhounds and narcotic dogs to patrol dogs and bomb dogs.

Dog teams must re-certify every year in searches or attacks.

WOWK-TV reports K-9 officers also train 16 hours a month to stay up-to-date on techniques, legislation and court rulings.

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