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  • Cherokee Assistant Police Chief Chris Ferrell participates in a training exercise for Spike, the new Garfield County Sheriff Department K-9 Belgian Malinois, at Oakwood Mall Tuesday. (Staff Photo by BONNIE VCULEK)

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April 26, 2011

Spike joins sheriff’s team

By Cass Rains, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID — Spike is Garfield County Sheriff’s Office newest K-9 team member and is replacing an older officer.

The nearly 2-year-old Belgian Malinois, purchased a few months ago from Sooner State Police K9s, will replace semi-retired K-9 Officer Arco.

Spike’s handler, Deputy Logan Niles, said his new partner is trained in narcotics detection, handler protection, criminal apprehension and tracking.

“He’s a dual-purpose service dog,” Niles said.

Arco only will be used for narcotics detection, mostly due to age. The 8-year-old Arco has been a particularly effective partner, Niles said.

“Arco was responsible for large seizures of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana,” he said.

Arco received recognition as Best Overall K-9 for 2009 during Police Week, hosted at Vance Air Force Base. Arco and Niles both received special recognition from Sheriff Bill Winchester in 2010 for drug arrests and seizures.

Niles said he and Spike have been working the streets as a team for a couple of weeks.

“He’s already got his first narcotics find,” Niles said. “He’s proof of the sheriff’s commitment to proactive law enforcement.”

Spike joins other county K-9 teams, GeGe and handler Jon Marshall and Mako and handler Darryl Beebe. Spike is National Police Canine Association certified for narcotics detection and patrol.

“It’s a force multiplier,” Niles said of using K-9 partners in law enforcement. “That’s particularly helpful for a small department like ours where we often work alone.”

As well as providing officer protection, the K-9s are able to cover more ground than officers during searches and are invaluable for narcotics interdiction.

“I expect to have my successes with Spike as I did with Arco,” Niles said.

Spike will be conducting demonstration at civic functions throughout the county, Niles said. Other county K-9s will visit area schools.

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