Meet the K-9s

Oct. 19, 2014

Deputy Robert Poumade and Ares

Emmet County Sheriff Department

Deputy Poumade’s 16-month-old canine partner, Ares, has only been on the job for about three weeks, so she’s very new to the police department. Poumade says she’s a good girl and the talented German Shepherd definitely has the right stuff for the job.

"She’s very social, very confident, and gets bored easily if she’s not working," he said. "She also has a high "˜play and hunt’ drive, which is great for detective work."

Ares’ training with Poumade, which took place at the Mid-Michigan Kennels in Eaton Rapids, has already paid off. She located narcotics in a car her very first day on the job, while she and Poumade were on-duty.

"She just started working, so she’s doing really well. And in her free time, she likes to throw around her empty food bowl and make as much noise as possible," he laughed.

Trooper Jason Nemecek and Mako

Michigan State Police Post Gaylord

Mako’s name may sound Hawaiian, but the black and tan German Shepherd is actually a worthy veteran of the police dog force here in northern Michigan. He is also one of the oldest dogs on our list at eight and a half years of age.

This male police dog spent 14 weeks at a Lansing training school with Nemecek and has a high chase-and-play drive, like the majority of police dogs, although his particular toy of choice is a bright yellow tennis ball.

"We basically throw a bunch of toys out and let them pick the one that they want. Then that becomes their reward toy during our training," Nemecek said. "Mako just loves his tennis ball, and he’s learned to work particularly well through times of adversity."

Nemecek and Mako have been working together for six and a half years and Mako has become a pretty accomplished police dog during that time. He’s already been honored with a special award for lifesaving and he’s found over 100 people who were lost, missing or evading the law.

Trooper Kyle Kelley and Bach

Traverse City State Police Post

Bach, a 3-year-old male German Shepherd, was trained with Trooper Kelley at the Michigan State Police Kennels in Lansing.

"The dogs aren’t trained before we get them," Kelley explained. "We are actually taught how to train our dog ourselves."

Kelley and Bach have only been a team since the fall of 2013, but Bach reportedly already has a good nose for the job. The majority of their beat involves the traffic team, in which they often investigate the interiors of vehicles.

Kelley explained that Bach has a very strong drive to get his "reward" (his favorite Kong toy ball) and that’s made it a lot easier to train him as they have worked through their first year together.

"The training aspect is the most worthwhile thing about working with him," Kelley said. "It’s been really amazing to see him start at nothing and go from not understanding at all to that moment where he all of a sudden just "˜gets’ it."

Deputy Matt Jerome and Jax

Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Department

Jax graduated from his police dog training with Deputy Jerome on September 18, 2014, at a little more than a year old.

The male German Shepherd, who came to the police department via a grant award from the Schmuckal Foundation, is actually Jerome’s second working companion. His first dog, Yogi, passed away last May and is sorely missed.

But Jax is already becoming a great pal and a dependable police dog, Jerome said; he has both a terrific demeanor and a great work ethic.

"When it’s time to work, he does his job well, searches very well, but when work’s over, he wags his tail a lot and just really enjoys being around people. I think that’s important, too."

Only a few weeks into his job, Jax has already done some positive narcotics searches and looks like he’s going to fit into his new partnership with Deputy Jerome just fine.

"You get to do a lot of different, cool events with the dogs, in addition to the work," Jerome said. "It’s very rewarding."

Corporal Fred Hasty and Brek

Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Department

Eight-year-old male German Shepherd Brek trained with Corporal Hasty in Clare, Mich. for four weeks, and the pair has worked together for the four years since.

Brek’s specialty is narcotics detection, which Hasty said he pretty much "chose" on his own. "These dogs are trained in a lot of different things," Hasty explained, "but he seems to like that task the best."

Brek also likes working more than he likes being off-duty.

"If it was up to Brek, he’d work 24/7," Hasty laughed, "regardless of weather or temperature or what have you. He does play fetch a little, but he just really likes being on the job."

The companionship is Hasty’s favorite part of having a dog as his work partner, as well as Brek’s solid police dog skills.

"He’s trained for it, he’s good at it, he never calls in sick and he works for a 50-cent tennis ball," Hasty said. "What more could you ask for?"