Oregon to get its 1st police canine handler
2/5/2013Sgt. Jeff Martin will be the Oregon Police Department’s first canine-handling officer.
The sergeant, who currently is assigned to road patrol, was selected from a field of five applicants, police Chief Mike Navarre told city council Monday.
Sergeant Martin will receive training starting in April and be part of the dog-selection process at Shallow Creek Kennels Inc. in Pennsylvania. The sergeant said he hopes to be in service with the dog in June as Oregon’s first police canine unit.
Sergeant Martin, 38, has been an Oregon officer for a little more than 13 years. The police dog will live with him in his Lake Township home. He said his wife, Beth, and their two young daughters are excited about the dog’s impending arrival.