News & Announcements

Upcoming Certification Trials

Hosts for upcoming certification trials have been selected.  The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office Canine Unit has been selected as host for the 2009 USPCA Region 18 PD-1 Certification Trial.  Olmstead County/Rochester Police Canine Unit has been selected as the host for the 2010 PD-1 Certification Trial.  Thank you and congratulations to these agencies for hosting these events!

Animal Planet to Feature SPPD Canine Unit

The Discovery Channel and Animal Planet will begin filming for a special feature this spring showcasing the Saint Paul Police Canine Unit and USPCA Region 18.  The special will feature SPPD K9 teams in training, street patrol, deployments and certification.  In addition to following SPPD handlers, the feature will chronicle the development of canine teams in the 2008 spring basic canine handler class held in Saint Paul.  More details will be posted, in addition to links, as they are made available.

Ramsey County Sheriff K9 takes first place team trophy 

Congratulations to the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office for taking first place in the "Department Team" competition at the 2007 National PD1 Trial in Lakeland, Florida.  Team members were:

  • Russ Garvey and K-9 Rico
  • Lisa Daly and K-9 Phoenix
  • Steve Olson and K-9 Gauner
  • Gary Pearl and K-9 Gus
  • Chris Moe and K-9 Jett 

Their first place finish also won them the Tim Jones Memorial Award.  Nice work representing your agency and Region 18 on the national stage! 

Results from both the 2007 National and Regional field trial can be found at the links below:

2007 National PD1 Trial Results

2007 Region 18 PD1 Trial Results

The Region 18 Board would like to congratulate the newest graduates of the
St. Paul Police Canine Training Center's 2007 Patrol Dog Spring and Fall course's. The
following canine teams successfully completed the training:

Spring Class

  • Officer Brian Bierdeman & Rebel, Maplewood Police Department
  • Officer Tony Gabriel & Yoda, Maplewood Police Department
  • Officer Carl Elam & Mike, West St. Paul Police Department
  • Officer Mike Vandervort & Blitz, Cottage Grove Police Department
  • Deputy Ty Jacobsen & Cyrus, Washington County Sheriff’s Office
  • Deputy Rob Mossman & Buck, Wright County Sheriff’s Office
  • Deputy Jeremy Wikkula & Saber, Wright County Sheriff’s Office
  • Deputy Matt Schuster & Ace, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office
  • Officer Joe Spark & Bosco, Bloomington Police Department
  • Deputy Josh Stenseth & Ace, St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office
  • Officer Nicole Rasmussen & Chase, St. Paul Police Department
  • Officer Isaac Rinehart & Sarik, St. Paul Police Department
  • Officer Rob Vetsch & Charlie, St. Paul Police Department
 Fall Class  
  • Officer Mark Beckmann & Brutus, MN DOC-Faribault
  • Officer Troy Dennison & Ringo, Minnetonka Police Department
  • Officer Ken Gallion & Chase, Rochester Police Department
  • Officer Craig Sammon & Keegan, Rochester Police Department
  • Deputy Corey Warmington & Blade, Rice County Sheriff’s Office
  • Officer Kelly Greenwalt & Rego, Duluth Police Department
  • Deputy Chris Howard & Blaze, Washington County Sheriff’s Office
  • Officer Jess Irmiter & Brix, Eden Prairie Police Department
  • Officer Brian Metling & Hunter, Red Wing Police Department
  • Deputy Butch Rachko & Razor, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office
  • Officer Melinda Ruopp & Awol, Marshalltown Police Department
  • Officer Mike Davis & Auggie, St. Paul Police Department