Full Notification

On Tuesday, June 29, 2016, the Anderson Police Department canine unit completed their yearly POST (Peace Officers Standards & Training) certification. The canine unit consists of Detective Mike Hallagan and K-9 Aero, Officer Tyler Finch and K-9 Chance, and Officer Eric Haynes and K-9 Iro.

The POST standards consists of certification exercises that the canine teams must complete and show proficiency in. The certification process is conducted by a POST certified evaluator that is not associated with the department testing. The areas the canine teams are evaluated in consist of building and area searches, handler protection scenarios, call-offs, obedience, and narcotics detection. There are only about fourteen states in the country that have canine standards, California being one of the strictest in their requirements.

K-9’s Aero and Chance both successfully completed patrol and narcotics certifications. K-9 Iro, the department newest canine, completed his first patrol certification. K-9 Iro is now beginning the process of preparing for his narcotics certification.

This certification is of significant importance as it was K-9 Aero’s final step to returning to full duty, after battling a debilitating illness in 2015. In July of 2015 K-9 Aero developed an auto-immune disease and staph infection that required him to be pulled from active duty and eventually be forced into an early retirement.

K-9 Aero underwent an extensive amount of medical testing and procedures as the department tried to bring him back to full health. Early into the process it was determined that K-9 Aero’s treatment would become a heavy burden on the canine unit’s limited budget.

Members of the community came together to help support K-9 Aero. A gofundme.com page was established and financial donations began to pour in from all across the country. Several schools came together to collect funds and write get-well cards to K-9 Aero.

K-9 Aero would not be alive today if it was not for the support and love this community showed him. This certification is a major milestone in his career and the history of the Anderson PD canine unit.

K-9 Aero will be returning to full duty with Detective Hallagan on July 2, 2016.

This certification also marked a special day for Officer Haynes and K-9 Iro. K-9 Iro is Anderson PD’s newest canine, joining the department in March of 2016. K-9 Iro came from the Czech Republic and has been participating in an extensive patrol training program with Officer Haynes for the last several months, preparing for the certification.

The Anderson Police Department Canine Unit is primarily funded through donations from the community. We continue to be amazed by the amount of support this community has shown our unit and are proud to serve the citizens of Anderson.