Officer Bob Barnes and "K-9 Mike" |
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I began my law enforcement career in April 2001, when I
graduated from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department
Basic Recruit Academy. I began working at the Main Jail as a
Sheriff’s Deputy, and spent three years there before I was
selected to work patrol in the contract City of Elk Grove. I worked
as a patrol deputy in the City of Elk Grove from July of 2004 until
February 2006.
February 23, 2006 brought many emotions as I resigned from
the Sheriff’s Department and began my career with the newly
formed Elk Grove Police Department. In March of 2006 I was
fortunate enough to be selected as one of first six canine
handlers.
Late April our newly formed Unit flew to Indiana to test and select
suitable canine partners. Officer Gregg Tawney worked very
hard for 2 ½ days putting numerous canines through a series of
tests.
graduated from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department
Basic Recruit Academy. I began working at the Main Jail as a
Sheriff’s Deputy, and spent three years there before I was
selected to work patrol in the contract City of Elk Grove. I worked
as a patrol deputy in the City of Elk Grove from July of 2004 until
February 2006.
February 23, 2006 brought many emotions as I resigned from
the Sheriff’s Department and began my career with the newly
formed Elk Grove Police Department. In March of 2006 I was
fortunate enough to be selected as one of first six canine
handlers.
Late April our newly formed Unit flew to Indiana to test and select
suitable canine partners. Officer Gregg Tawney worked very
hard for 2 ½ days putting numerous canines through a series of
tests.
One canine in particular, named Mike, a 2 ½ year old Malinois, weighing almost 75 lbs, caught my
attention as soon as he walked onto the field. He had a very pronounced stride as if he was ready to
take on the world.
As luck would have it, along with begging and pleading, I was partnered with Mike. We made the trip
home together and spent the first couple weeks at home getting to know each other before we began
our training.
We began training in May and certified in June. To be honest, it was me keeping up with Mike as he
seemed to know what to do and when to do it. Late June of 2006 the team of Bob and Mike Unit K9-1
hit the streets.
Mike and I recently worked towards and earned certification as a Narcotics Cross trained team. We
have been certified by P.O.S.T. and C.N.C.A.
Mike is always ready to go to work, and expresses this by bounding out of the kennel and racing to the
car. However, on his days off, Mike enjoys chasing a ball, playing with the rest of our family or
sunning himself in the backyard.
attention as soon as he walked onto the field. He had a very pronounced stride as if he was ready to
take on the world.
As luck would have it, along with begging and pleading, I was partnered with Mike. We made the trip
home together and spent the first couple weeks at home getting to know each other before we began
our training.
We began training in May and certified in June. To be honest, it was me keeping up with Mike as he
seemed to know what to do and when to do it. Late June of 2006 the team of Bob and Mike Unit K9-1
hit the streets.
Mike and I recently worked towards and earned certification as a Narcotics Cross trained team. We
have been certified by P.O.S.T. and C.N.C.A.
Mike is always ready to go to work, and expresses this by bounding out of the kennel and racing to the
car. However, on his days off, Mike enjoys chasing a ball, playing with the rest of our family or
sunning himself in the backyard.
