Two new K9 teams are now ready to hit the road! Eugene Police Sergeant Rob Griesel and his new partner, K9 Kuiil (pronounced Quill), and Lane County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Christopher Gardner with his partner K9, Billy, ready for service. LCSO’s and EPD’s K9 teams train together and both the new teams have been going through the rigorous selection, training and testing process. They are each headed out to not only patrol for their respective agencies, but to answer calls from other local jurisdictions for a mutual -aid K9 response. It is not uncommon to have another agency’s K9 team respond if theirs is on duty or is tied up on another call.
EPD’s K9 Kuill is an 18-month-old Belgian Malinois from Slovakia. He was purchased from Adlerhorst International Kennels in Riverside, California. K9 Kuiil was selected after a rigorous testing process over a three-day period. EPD’s K9 trainers observed and tested more than a dozen dogs but K9 Kuiil was easily the standout choice. K9 Kuiil is partnered with Sgt. Rob Griesel, who heads EPD’s K9 team. Together they have completed more than 400 hours of training, including 260 hours with regional K9 trainer Dan Kloss. Kuiil has been certified by the Oregon Police Canine Association meeting the standards for a patrol K9. They completed their 10 weeks of preparation with EPD’s in-house trainer, Officer Michael Casey. K9 Kuiil has proven to be a very effective tracking and searching dog. These skills combined with a socially sweet disposition will make him an excellent asset to EPD’s K9 Team. EPD appreciates the Eugene Police Foundation for their continued support to the department and unit. For more information about the Foundation, visit: https://www.eugenepolicefoundation.org/donate
LCSO’s K9 Billy is a 3 year old Dutch Shephard. Billy was originally trained as a K9 with the Army Rangers but was quickly identified as having the skills necessary to serve as a police K9. Billy was welcomed into the Lane County Sheriff’s Office family shortly thereafter and has been working hard to complete the rigorous training with his handler, Deputy Christopher Gardner. Together, they have completed the 240 hour certification course as well as 120 hours of training with the Eugene Police Department K9 Teams. Throughout his training, Billy has excelled in building searches which will come in handy when called upon to locate suspects in criminal cases. It doesn’t hurt that he’s friendly, energetic, and eager to learn! The Lane County Sheriff’s Office K9 Program is largely funded by community donations that help provide food, equipment, and veterinary care for the Sheriff’s Office’s two K9s.
You can follow the development and exploits of each of these agencies K9 teams at work and home:
Eugene Police K9 on Instagram at @Eugene_police_k9_unit and Facebook at facebook.com/epdk9unit.
Lane County Sheriff’s Office: https://bit.ly/3fSlyLA.