K9 History
For most of the Madison Police Department's history, the department had no K9 unit or police dogs. Starting in the late 1980's a handful of officers engaged in some trial use of dogs, introducing the department to the benefits of police K9's. In the 1990's, a number of MPD officers assigned to the Dane County drug unit had dogs trained in narcotics detection. It wasn't until 2004, however, that the department was able to form a dedicated K9 unit serving patrol.
Late 1980's
Officer Bill Murphy and Hank
Hank was a chocolate Labrador trained in narcotics detection. He worked with Officer Bill Murphy in MPD's special operations section from 1989 to 1992. Hank was also trained to find evidence, as shown below). Hank's biggest case was an alert on a storage locker that led to the seizure of $35,000 and 242 pounds of marijuana.
Hank was also trained to locate evidence (anything with human scent); here he has located a stolen rifle.
Officer Frank Chandler and Jake
Jake was a bloodhound trained to track people. He worked with Officer Frank Chandler in MPDs special operations section from 1991 to 1992. After the focus of the special operations section turned primarily to illegal drugs, Jake was retired from MPD. He was donated to a department in Maryland where he went on to have a very good career.
1990's
Officer Dave Parrell and Oby
Oby was a black lab trained in narcotics detection. He worked with Officer Dave Parrell in the Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force from 1992 to 1999. During that time he was responsible for the seizure of more than 80 pounds of marijuana, almost two pounds of cocaine, more than a pound of cocaine base, and more than $16,000 in cash.
Officer Ann Lehner and Sam
Sam was a black lab trained in narcotics detection. He worked with Officer Ann Lehner in the Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force from 1997 to 1999. Sam was responsible for the seizure of more than 12 pounds of marijuana, more than a pound of cocaine/cocaine base, and over $50,000 in cash.
Officer Teresa McKenzie and Whitney
Whitney was a black lab trained in narcotics detection. She worked with Officer Teresa McKenzie in the Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force from 1994 to 1996. Whitney was responsible for the seizure of more than 17 pounds of marijuana, more than a pound of cocaine base, and more than $12,000 in cash. Whitney won the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Canine Handlers Association K9 Rookie of the Year award in 1994. Two days prior to her retirement (due to an injury), Whitney alerted on a storage locker containing 12 pounds of marijuana. Officer McKenzie rejoined the K9 unit in 2010 with her new K9 partner, Josh.
Officer Chris Boyd and Arno
Arno was a dutch shepard who was MPD's first dual-purpose dog. He was trained in narcotics detection and patrol functions (building searches, tracking, apprehensions, etc.). Arno served with Off. Boyd from 1999—2006, first in the Dane County Narcotics and Gang Task Force and later in patrol. Arno proved a great asset to the department and the community, and paved the way for the formation of MPD's patrol K9 unit. Arno won the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Canine Handlers Association "Meritorious Narcotics Find of the Year" award three times (2001, 2002 and 2004).
2000's
Officer Bart O'Shea and Greg
Officer Bart O'Shea and his K9 partner Greg served with the MPD K9 unit from 2005 through 2010. Greg was a Dutch Shepard, trained in narcotics detection and patrol functions (building searches, tracking, apprehensions, etc.). When MPD's patrol K9 unit was created in 2005, Officer O'Shea and Greg were one of the two initial K9 teams that formed the unit.