Sheriff details K‑9 unit: five teams, training, donations and deployments

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office briefed the county board on the scope, training and funding of its K‑9 unit, describing five handler‑dog teams, recertification schedules and recent operational statistics.

Deputy Darren Rice introduced the unit and said the office operates five K‑9 teams: three dual‑purpose German Shepherds (narcotics detection and suspect apprehension), an explosives‑detection Labrador retriever (Skyler) and a facility dog (Gracie, a poodle) used for support and recovery‑pod visits inside the jail. Rice said the German Shepherds receive initial training in New Mexico and recertify twice a year; the dual‑purpose dogs train two days a month. Skyler receives periodic explosive‑detection workshops and has been deployed at university and large‑event sweeps.

Rice and deputies described deployments and seizures: combined deployments for four of the patrol/explosive dogs numbered in the hundreds across the reported year; officers reported multiple drug and paraphernalia seizures and dozens of arrests tied to canine deployments. Rice showed video of a successful apprehension where a German Shepherd apprehended a suspect who had drawn a firearm; Rice said the dog’s intervention likely prevented an officer‑involved shooting in that incident.

On funding, Rice said canine acquisition, training and most care expenses have been paid through community donations, the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation fund and event proceeds such as a Boots vs. Badges basketball game; the sheriff’s office also received several notable donations in recent years. He said handlers’ pay and other personnel costs remain in the sheriff’s operating budget. Rice noted one retired K‑9, Tim, recently died; his long service and handler relationship were highlighted.

Deputies answered supervisors’ questions on canine ages, retirement (generally eight to ten years, though some dogs may work longer depending on fitness), training commands (handlers use German commands) and the practice of selling retired dogs to their former handlers (county property sold for a nominal sum in retirement so dogs may remain with handlers and families).

Rice and deputies also described Skyler’s prior ownership by the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh Police Department and the unit’s assistance at high‑profile events including NCAA tournament games, EAA events and Green Bay Packers-related security sweeps.