While the Woodbury Police Department is teeming with exceptional officers, there are three who stand out from the rest. It’s not their extraordinary loyalty, rigorous training or fearless nature that sets them apart; it’s their ability to run on four legs.
They’re a trio of German Shepherds named Baden, Bosco and Nova. Together with their handlers, police officers Jason Posel, Tom Ehrenberg and Brian Cline, they make up the Woodbury Police Department’s K-9 unit. “In Woodbury, the K-9 unit is primarily used for narcotics detection, clearing houses and buildings after burglaries or break-ins, and for tracking criminal suspects or missing people,” Posel says. They also handle general patrol calls and, when needed, provide K-9 assistance to neighboring communities.
“The primary reason we have the K-9 patrol is for their ability to smell narcotics and people,” Posel says. While the officers regard their dogs as family members, they also know that the dogs are valuable police tools. When faced with a dangerous situation, the dogs will put their lives at risk in order to protect the officers and the public.
Woodbury’s K-9s originated in Slovakia, a country known for breeding dogs with strong working drives. They arrived in 2013 and 2014 and are still young. Once they reach full maturity, they will range in size from 65 to 95 pounds. And like any dogs, they have their own unique personalities and skills.
Baden works with Officer Posel, the unit’s lead instructor and senior handler, and is the newest to join the group. “He’s a quick learner and a big puppy with lots of playful energy. In fact, he bounces around so much that my wife calls him ‘the basketball,’ ” Posel says. “Eventually, Baden will be trained as a SWAT team dog and will specialize in narcotics detection.” When asked about the challenges of working with Baden, Posel says, “Baden is so young. The hardest part is teaching him all of the new games he needs to learn.”
The second dog is Bosco, whose dark sable coloring makes him easily recognizable. “I have always loved dogs, but this is my first time having a dog of my own,” says Officer Ehrenberg, Bosco’s handler. “He’s very social, loves playing with his ball, and is a blast at training demos.”
Officer Cline’s dog, Nova, is also social. “Working and training an animal that has their own distinct personality can be challenging. Our sessions differ from week to week as the dogs continue to learn and mature,” Cline says. “But at home, all he wants to do is have fun, roll over and be pet.”
Rigorous training
Woodbury’s K-9 unit underwent rigorous training that began with a three-month program at the St. Paul Police K-9 School upon the dogs’ arrival, and was followed by an additional month of narcotics training. Additionally, Posel leads the team in training sessions in locations throughout Woodbury and the Twin Cities metro area.
Police dogs are trained in specific areas of expertise, such as tracking or substance detection. The dogs are then reviewed and certified regularly during trials, where they are judged for obedience and their ability to perform specific skills. In addition to skill work, the handlers incorporate obedience into their sessions to establish bonding, proficiency and control.
“We only use positive training techniques with our dogs,” Cline says. “For example, they’re rewarded with a toss of the ball when they perform well, and verbal corrections when they don’t. As a result, they love working.” Cline notes that the dogs wear flat, comfortable collars to further ensure a positive experience.
During a routine training session, one of the most dramatic exercises is when a dog is cued to chase and stop an assailant. The dog then holds the suspect until commanded by the handler to release. For those exercises, the handlers recruit professional decoys, usually their fellow officers who wear padded body suits or bite sleeves, to simulate scenarios in a variety of settings. The officers who volunteer as decoys assume the risk involved, as biting accidents do happen. “I was black and blue for 13 weeks straight during training in St. Paul,” recalls Cline, smiling without a hint of regret.
On-the-job partners
While on duty, the handlers are constantly in synch with their dogs. As Posel says, they “cue the dog’s behavior before they leave the squad car. For example, we say, ‘You’re going to be a good boy’ if we’re about to do a community event, or ‘We’re going to train.’ They can also pick up on our stress in a work situation.” In that way, the dog knows what skills and behavior are required for the situation the moment they exit the squad car.
Working as a K-9 handler is a position that requires both professional and personal commitment. “This is a unique position because it’s a 24-hour-a-day job,” Cline says. He has had a lifelong affinity for dogs and was immediately drawn to the K-9 unit. “Once I saw firsthand what they could do, I was immediately interested. I volunteered to help them in training, just so I could better understand the job,” he says. “This is the most physically and mentally challenging work I’ve ever done. But it’s also a lot of fun. The dogs keep me going.”
The decision to join the K-9 unit was also an easy one for Cline. And Posel says, “I had dogs growing up and it was always a goal of mine to work as a police K-9 officer. It requires a lot of specialized training that makes you think outside of the box. Ultimately, I got into it because I wanted to be an asset to the patrol.”
On the outside, a K-9 squad car looks like a typical police car with the exception of its built-in kennel. However, it is far from ordinary. The cars are custom-made to accommodate the dogs. For example, German Shepherds thrive in Minnesota’s winter climate, while they have a difficult time in the heat. When a squad car is left running while unattended, sensors monitor the car’s temperature. If the heat inside the car rises to a certain pre-set temperature, the car’s siren and lights are automatically activated to alert the officer.
If an officer encounters an emergency while away from the car, he or she can remotely open the squad car door. In that situation, the K-9 partner knows to jump out of the car and immediately run to his handler until a cue, or command, is given.
Part of a family
When the dogs join the police force, they also join a family. When they’re home, they assume the role of a family pet, rather than a K-9 partner. In fact, it is the handlers who begin that relationship by naming their dogs.
“Nova was named after a family friend’s dog,” Cline says. “He was one of the first dogs I remember as a child and he was extremely intelligent. He made a lasting memory on me and I wanted to honor him by naming my K-9 partner after him.”
At the end of a shift, the dogs and handlers drive home together. “Once we arrive, the dogs know they’re strictly off duty,” Posel says. “Our dogs become part of the family, just like any other dog.” When the dogs end their 6- to 10-year careers with the department, they will retire in those homes.
In the Ehrenberg home, Bosco is treated with care. “Bosco interacts with my family and kids, but at the end of the day, he’s a police dog and needs a little extra respect,” Ehrenberg says. “My kids like Bosco, but he is very playful and tends to knock them over, so they prefer to watch him from a distance.”
Ehrenberg says officers develop a strong bond with their dogs. “I find myself talking to my dog on a regular basis in the squad,” he says. He takes pride in providing his dog with everything he needs, and in return, Bosco “protects me when I don’t even know that I need protecting.”
In that way, Woodbury’s police dogs are more than a man’s best friend. They’re partners. //
Community Support
While the officers are responsible for their K-9 partners, the costs associated with caring for a dog, such as food and veterinary services, are financed through the Woodbury Crime Prevention and Public Safety Board, a nonprofit organization that supports the Public Safety Department. The board was established in 2000 to promote the safety and welfare of the city and help fund crime prevention and public safety programs. In addition, it provides financial support for the Public Safety Department by purchasing items that are not obtainable due to budgetary restraints. For more information on the K-9 unit or how to get involved with the board, visit ci.woodbury.mn.us.
K-9 Dog Appearances
There are many opportunities for Woodbury residents to see the K-9 dogs. The officers enjoy introducing their dogs to city residents, as long as they are not working. The best opportunities to meet Bosco, Nova and Baden are training demonstrations at Woodbury Days, neighborhood watch meetings, block parties, school visits, Minnesota Night to Unite and Safety Camp.
