Oxford police department gets powerful nose for drug detection work

K9 will join Oxford police department in fight against heroin, other drugs.

A new police K9 unit is coming to Oxford to primarily be used for drug detection work, according to police officials.

The dog, a German Shepherd, will be trained in drug detection but will be used in “drug work, tracking work and apprehension work,” according to Officer Matt Hardin, who was chosen as the local partner for the K9.

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“It’s a good chance to give to the community and get drugs out of the community,” Hardin said.

Police Chief John Jones said the new K9 officer will be primarily used for drug detection work, which will ultimately help make Oxford safer.

“All of us are anxiously awaiting the addition of a K9 officer to our force. Like our other dogs, this K9 will be dual purpose, trained in patrol work as well as narcotics detection,” Jones said. “A K9 is an important tool in our fight against drug abuse. A dog’s nose is very powerful and can detect the presence of narcotics when an officer is not able to. This will allow our officers to be more proactive in fighting the heroin epidemic as well as other drugs of abuse, which we hope in turn will make our community more healthy and safe.”

The dog is coming from Shallow Creek Kennels, near Pittsburgh, and will begin its training in May. That will continue for six weeks and then Hardin will begin a six-week training program with the dog.

“He will be kind of pre-loaded and then is the parallel training with the handler. I leave in June for about six weeks. It’s live-in training. I will stay throughout the week and have weekends (home). The dog will be with me and my family,” Hardin said. “I look forward to that.”

The city’s first K9 came on board in 2002 and since that time, three have been retired.

Officer Shawn Terrell served with Simon from 2002-2010. Sergeant David King served with Dover from 2005-2013. Sergeant Ryan Sikora served with Cole from 2011-2016.

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“These K9s have made significant contributions to keeping our community safe. They have taken numerous dangerous drugs off our streets, they have tracked down numerous suspects both in Oxford and other communities when called for mutual aid, they’ve assisted in missing person searches, and been a great community relations tool,” Jones said. “Many citizens want to see and pet the dog which makes them approach the officer and have a conversation. The K9s have conducted many demonstrations at various events such as the Butler County Chiefs of Police Respect for Law Camp.”

Hardin joined the Oxford Police Department in 2013 and works third shift.

The higher call volume of those overnight hours should provide opportunities for them to have a variety of experiences together and help service to the community, he said.

He and the dog will be on call other hours, as well, when various investigations come up during the day.

A K9 unit also offers a unique public relations opportunity for a police department, so Hardin and his new partner will also be sent to schools and public events to meet the public and he can talk about what they do.

“When he gets here, I’m sure he will be popular,” Hardin said. “It will be cool to take the dog to school and break down barriers and get out of the car and educate people about what dogs do.”

Hardin sees having a dog on patrol for the department as a good tool in the work of policing.

“I like this kind of work. I like drug interdiction. This is a valuable asset and tool for the department to have available,” he said. “It’s a good tool for the department to have on its belt.”

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