The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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September 28, 2008

Beckley P.D. K-9 unit offering demonstrations

Amelia A. Pridemore

Drake, Helo and Vinnie are German shepherds that may look mean at first glance.

But the Beckley Police Department wants to let law-abiding citizens — particularly young people — know the dogs and the officers who handle them are their friends and protectors.

Cpl. Will Reynolds, a Beckley K-9 officer and Helo’s handler, said the department’s K-9 officers are available for demonstrations. Upon request, an officer/dog duo can visit schools, youth organizations, scout troops, churches, retirement homes, after-school programs — practically any Beckley-based organization.

Reynolds said K-9 officers get frequent requests for demonstrations, and they want to give back to a community that has helped the K-9 unit. When Reynolds’ original partner, a Rottweiler named Merlin, died in March, donors paid $6,000 of Helo’s $10,000 price tag.

During the demonstrations, Reynolds said officers will show people what the dogs do, what their capabilities are and how important they are as officers fight crime. Officers particularly want to reach young people because these demonstrations are also part of an anti-drug campaign — and the demonstrations have shown they have impact on youngsters.

“Our kids are the future of this world,” Reynolds said. “They’re the ones who will be soon making important decisions out there. I’ve done demonstrations four years ago, and the kids still remember the dog and what the dog does. I’ll hear them say, ‘Hey, this is the officer who brought the big dog.’ ...If we can change one kid’s life, we’ve done something.”

Reynolds said any interested person can call Beckley P.D. at 304-256-1720 and leave a message for him. He will then get back in touch and schedule a day and time for either himself or one of his two fellow K-9 officers, Cpl. R.E. Redden (Vinnie’s handler) or Cpl. David Bailey (Drake’s handler), to visit.

— E-mail:

apridemore@register-herald.com

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