Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Sheriff's Office gets K-9 officer

The Nevada County Sheriffs Office has a new officer. The K-9 has not yet been given a name for public use, but handler Robert Missey said the 6-year-old German Shepherd is ready to work.

K-9 work is not new to Missey. He was the K-9 officer at a previous position in Cave Springs, located in Northwest Arkansas.

Missey and his new partner are now gone for a two-week training in Lebanon, Mo., with his new partner. Missey said that people can expect to see him on patrol with the new K-9 as soon as they return from Missouri.

Missey said the new Nevada County K-9 is trained to detect narcotics, tracking and protection.

If a child gets lost, well be able to track with this dog, Missey said.

The dog can also be used for aggressive tracking in the case of an escapee or felon case.

Theres no doubt that being responsible for the care of a K-9 officer requires time and effort. Missey said that hes responsible not only for the feeding, grooming and health of the dog, but for being sure that the K-9 officer has regular breaks from duty and down time.

Its a lot of responsibility, Missey said. Im used to it.

On the positive side, the K-9 will be Misseys partner for patrols, school activities, tracking and narcotics duty.

Theres more good than bad, Missey said.

Nevada County Sheriff Bobby Carlton said there are many law enforcement opportunities, but the K-9 also offers a chance to put county officers in contact with children in area schools. He said demonstrations of the dogs tracking and narcotics-detection gives officers a chance to interact with kids in a positive way.

On the enforcement note, Carlton said the dog can be used at safety and sobriety checkpoints to help officers seek out hidden drugs.

Were going to use the dog a lot, Carlton said.

Carlton said the dog was purchased with money donated from regional businesses and individuals.

Missey said the plan is to allow children to submit suggested names. Hell then choose from those suggestions.

The Prescott Police Department also has a K-9 officer. Duchess and her handler, PPD Officer John Pettit, have been credited with a number of area arrests.

Missey said hes anxious to get into a routine with his new partner. He said the companionship is another of the major positive points to his new assignment.

Hell make a good partner, Missey said. Hes just got four feet rather than two.