Canine Unit Demos Camera System For Media

The Warner Robins Police Department Canine Unit demonstrated the newly acquired Tactical Electronics K-9 Back Mounted Camera for members of the media on Wednesday.

Officers of the unit, along with canine Rasty, went through a brief scenario where a burglary suspect was hiding inside a building. Rasty, equipped with the camera system, was able to quickly locate and apprehend the suspect.

This scenario demonstrates only one of the many ways the Warner Robins Police Department plans to utilize this equipment.

The camera system was awarded to the agency through the National Tactical Officer's Association Grant Program. The Warner Robins Police Department is only one of eight agencies in the United States using the system.

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Canine Rasty Apprehends Armed Robbery Suspect

On March 22nd the Perry Police Department requested our assistance with tracking an armed robbery suspect.  The suspect had entered a store with a very large knife and attempted to rob the clerk.  Officer Bish and his partner, Rasty, were able to track the suspect to a nearby residence.  The suspect was later charged with Armed Robbery.

Rasty, a German Shepard and Belgian Malinois mix, joined the agency in 2009.  He is one of three canines in service for the agency.       

The Warner Robins Police Department canine program began in April 1995 with a single handler and a single purpose canine for narcotics detection.

Today, the unit has three full service canines (Ego, Ollie, & Rasty) capable of the functions in patrol, narcotics detection, & tracking.  They are used daily on traffic stops and are on call for tracking suspects or other incidents that require a canine presence. 

2011 Statistics
Requests for Canine - 200
Canine Call Outs - 25
Arrests from Canine - 37
Marijuana Seized - 291.5 grm
Cocaine Seized - 47.7 grm
Tracks Run - 55
Apprehension Deployments - 95
Community Relations Events - 45

All canine handlers and their partners received training through the Tarheel Canine, Inc. located in Sanford, North Carolina.

More information about the unit can be found at the Canine Unit page at WRPolice.org.