Clearlake >> The Clearlake Police Department (CPD) is announcing the retirement of two police canines, Dex and Max. Dex was brought into the police department in 2010. At that time, the department wanted to establish a new canine program but was having difficulty with establishing it due to budgetary issues. The department reached out to the public who responded generously, CPD Sgt. Travis Lenz said. Through donations, T-shirt sales as well as other fundraising efforts, enough money was collected for a canine.
After lengthy research to find the right fit for the department, Dex was selected and has served the community ever since. He’s has also been used in narcotic detections, and he received additional training for that discipline in 2012.
Max was donated to the department by another agency and has been serving the community since 2012. Both canines are being retired based on their age in addition to the handlers being reassigned to other duties. Officer Elvis Cook, who had been Max’s handler, has been assigned to the investigations unit as a detective. Lenz, who had been police canine Dex’s handler, has been promoted to patrol sergeant.
Cook and Lenz are still maintaining their involvement in the canine program. Lenz is assuming duties as the canine supervisor and Cook as a canine agitator and will continue to assist in fundraising efforts as well.
“Both Dex and Max have done outstanding work within the community and their retirement is well deserved,” Lenz said.
“The Clearlake police canine program has been extremely successful. These canines have provided an invaluable service to our community,” he said.
During the time they have been in service, the canines have had hundreds of surrenders where suspects would have otherwise physically resisted officers, placing them at risk of injury. In addition they have had numerous apprehensions where it was necessary for canines to have been used in capturing dangerous suspects.
Due to the success of the canine program it is the desire of the department to continue the level of service, Lenz said. Through donations and continued fundraising efforts, money has been secured for the purchase of two new canines as well as the training costs for the new canine handlers.
An extensive selection process was conducted and two officers have been chosen for the positions. Travis Parson, an officer with the CPD for the past two years, has been selected as one handler. During Parson’s time in Clearlake, he has been extremely involved in the canine program, having been an agitator and assisted with fundraising efforts. The second handler who was selected is officer Mark Harden. He has worked in law enforcement for more than 15 years, recently being hired by the CPD from another agency. During his career, Harden had previously been a canine handler and agitator.
“It is anticipated both officers will continue the successful progress that has already been made with canine unit and the City of Clearlake,” Lenz said.
The CPD Canine Unit is solely funded by the community through fund raising. Without these donations, the canine unit would be nonexistent.
With the purchase of two new canines to fill the vacancies of Dex and Max, CPD members thought that there was an excellent opportunity to allow the community to name the newest canine members as a small gesture of thanks to the community for their efforts. What was decided was to allow the community’s youth to name the canines by partnering with the elementary schools.
Burns Valley Elementary School, Pomo Elementary School and Konocti Education Center, have been selected to participate in naming the police canines. All students in grades six and seven will draw a picture of a police canine and then pick a name. The student with the best drawing and name will get to meet the new canine officers and their dogs, take photographs and name the new police dogs. The competition will be completed on Dec. 14 at which time the CPD will announce the two winners.
“The Clearlake Canine Unit would like to wish all students participating in this process good luck, and we are very excited to see the names and drawings that will be submitted,” Lenz said.
