Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
June 30, 2011
Contact:
Trooper Guy Gill
Phone:
(253) 606-1998
E-mail:
Guy.Gill@wsp.wa.gov
WSP Canine Troopers Looking Beyond the License Plate
In Pierce and Thurston counties, two troopers and their K-9 partners are looking beyond the license plate and the “routine” traffic stop. On November 9, 1998, the first narcotic detection teams were sent out on the streets of Washington State. Each trooper handler and their K-9 completed over 240 hours of specialized training and countless hours of on the job training working on our interstates and state routes.
Trooper Jeff Kershaw and his dog Kilo are assigned to Thurston County, and Trooper Ron Moss and his dog Duke are assigned to Pierce County. Just in the past year, these two teams have helped remove over 26 pounds of marijuana, hundreds of pills (like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and ecstasy) along with methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and thousands of dollars in associated drug money off our streets.
In addition to their usual duties, they’re often utilized by other law enforcement agencies to assist with narcotic detection. We are very proud of the work they do. With every arrest they make and the narcotics they remove from our streets, we truly believe they are saving lives and making a difference for the citizens of Washington State.
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Left: K-9 handler, Trooper Jeff Kershaw and Kilo. Kilo is a female chocolate Labrador and has been with Trooper Kershaw for 3 years. Right: K-9 handler, Trooper Ron Moss and Duke. Duke is a male Labrador mix and has been with Trooper Moss for 4 years. Both Kilo and Duke are passive alert canines. That means they give a sit response after locating the specific area where the odor of narcotics is being emitted. |
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