K9 Kayda of the Surf City Police Department waits patiently for her next command. photo by Jeff Wenzel Kayda, a 7-yr-old black labrador retriever, was all paws, nose, and wagging tail when she showed up at our regular Tuesday morning Kiwanis meeting today and stole the show! But let's not get ahead of our story.
Chief Ron Shanahan was here today to talk about the Surf City Police Department. Chief Shanahan has led the Surf City Police Department since September of 2015. A native of Long Island, NY, Chief Shanahan has over 24 years experience and has been a member of Surf City Police Department since 1993. Chief Shanahan was assigned head of the Criminal Investigations for over 14 years. Chief Shanahan has an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate and numerous other training certifications.
Chief Shanahan describes the Surf City Police Department's Community Outreach Programs. photo by Jeff Wenzel Chief Shanahan described several Community Outreach Programs that the Surf City Police Department has initiated to improve community safety with K9 Kayda but one example. The Cottage Watch Program allows residents who are away to have the police check to ensure that their residence is secure. The R-U-OK Program for the elderly and/or disabled contacts enrolled citizens to check on their welfare. The KareBear Program provides stuffed animals at the scene to children in stressful and/or traumatic situations. Coffee with a Cop happens once a month to discuss community issues, concerns or simply to get to know your Surf City Officers. The Ride Along Programs gives citizens an opportunity to ride with a Surf City Police Officer. The Project Blue Program in November honors fallen police officers. A unique community watch program is the voluntary citizen registration of their surveillance equipment at home or business. Known as the More Eyes to Deter Crime community policing program, video footage can be reviewed for 'clues', if a crime occurs near a known citizen surveillance camera. The Surf City Police Department also has an E-Watch Program to alert enrolled citizens by email that a specific crime like car vandalism has occurred near their address. Crime tips can also be sent to the department.
Information on all these Community Outreach Programs can be found on the Surf City Police Department website.
Information on all these Community Outreach Programs can be found on the Surf City Police Department website.
Corporal Petersen and K9 partner, Kayda. photo: Jeff Wenzel Corporal Eric Petersen:
Corporal Petersen has been assigned as a Patrol Corporal since 2017 and is also a K9 Handler since 2013 which he started as a member of the Surf City Police Department. Corporal Petersen has over 10 years experience in law enforcement and has an Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificate. Corporal Petersen is a certified field training officer and is also assigned as the department’s K9 handler.
Corporal Petersen has been assigned as a Patrol Corporal since 2017 and is also a K9 Handler since 2013 which he started as a member of the Surf City Police Department. Corporal Petersen has over 10 years experience in law enforcement and has an Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificate. Corporal Petersen is a certified field training officer and is also assigned as the department’s K9 handler.
Kayda waits patiently as Corporal Petersen gives the audience her background and abilities. photo by Jeff Wenzel Corporal Petersen explains that Kayda is certified in five different evidence detection areas such as drugs, tracking, etc. Kayda came from a regular Pender County litter of labrador puppies not from a special breeder for security work. At age 11 months she went to a special K9 trainer for 3 months for initial training then Officer Petersen joined her at the training facility for an additional 1.5 months to begin the process of working together with his new partner. Kayda is not an apprehension dog, she only uses her nose to find the evidence, track the missing person, etc.
Off duty Kayda lounges at home with Officer Peterson and his family along his family's other dog, who although his kids try to train that dog, Kayda says 'no way is that dog trained!'
Off duty Kayda lounges at home with Officer Peterson and his family along his family's other dog, who although his kids try to train that dog, Kayda says 'no way is that dog trained!'
Okay the following are three short YouTube videos by Jeff Wenzel of Kayda in action.
1) Kayda arrives, sits at 'attention' and ready for work
YouTube Video 1
1) Kayda arrives, sits at 'attention' and ready for work
YouTube Video 1
2) The black boxes are used for training and only one has the evidence Kayda is trained to detect. Note her style and reaction at the 'correct' box.'
YouTube video 2
YouTube video 2
3) In this video Kayda responds to several commands. She sees a tennis ball roll across the floor but will not chase it, until given the 'free' command. She maneuvers around Officer Petersen as he gives commands. Kayda lies down when Officer Petersen lies down behind cover in a dangerous situation, where she will stay so he can move about to take action knowing she is safe.
YouTube video 3
YouTube video 3