Đằng-Giao/Người Việt
WESTMINSTER, Calif. (NV) – After an interruption of nearly 20 years, the K-9 program has returned to the Westminster Police Department with Officer Pako and Officer Travis Hartman, the handler of his canine partner.
The K-9 team: Officer Travis Hartman and Pako. (Photo: Dan Huynh/Nguoi Viet)
The reinstatement of the program happened swiftly. Last October, Police Chief Kevin Baker proposed the idea to Mayor Tri Ta. A dog lover himself, the mayor decided to make it happen and saw to it that the City Council approved the K-9 agenda.
“Before Chief of Police Kevin Baker finished his sentence, I was sold. I knew immediately that it was such a good idea, and I could see the usefulness of such a K-9 unit to the people and to our city,” Ta said.
The K-9 program started in 1979 and was halted in 1995 due to a disagreement over compensation, according to police officials.
Hartman said he could not believe he was chosen as the K-9 handler.
The day Travis Hartman tested Pako. (Photo provided by Travis Hartman)
“Ever since I was 10 years old, it’s been my dream to be a handler. My only dream,” he said. “But when I was picked to be one, I couldn’t believe it. I never… I mean, my dream is no longer a dream. Wow, it’s a reality.”
“I couldn’t sleep for like, three nights or even more. At work, I couldn’t concentrate.”
Then he chose Pako as his partner. The mayor said an anonymous benefactor donated Pako, who is worth $10,000.
“We tested eight dogs, and I chose him for his good temperament and high drive,” he said. “My brother used to be a K-9 handler, so I guess you can call it a family tradition.”
Officer Pako is a Dutch shepherd, born and trained in Holland before being recruited to Adlerhorst International Inc. in Riverside. “He is not an attack dog”, Hartman said. “Rather, Pako is trained to defend.”
“In breed, Pako is very similar to the military working dog that helped the Navy SEAL Team Six take out Osama bin Laden a few years back,” Ta said.
Ta said the city could incur extra expenses estimated at $30,000 for Pako. Costs include modifying a SUV for him, training plus veterinary bills. Pako will more than pay for himself, the mayor said.
Officer Hartman said in a recent domestic violence situation, a suspect refused to cooperate with police, but when Pako arrived at the scene, the suspect surrendered.
Officer Matt Edinger said Pako’s work is invaluable to the department.
“In a lot of situations, only Pako could do the job more effective than five or six officers. … Or in a hostage situation, the bad guy could take his time with the policemen;
but if he knows Pako is there, he’d give up. No one wants to mess with a K-9.”
Pako in a public demonstration. (Photo provided by Westminster Police Department)
He shared: “I was so happy the program got green-lighted. I’m confident Pako will be the pride of Westminster Police Department.”
One of Pako’s characteristics is that he’s friendly and temperate. But when needs be, he becomes fast, accurate and brave.
Before taking Pako home, officer Hartman learned a few commands in Dutch.
“Just enough for basic daily activity.”
Adlerhorst International Inc. is among the leading centers in procuring dogs with a strong genetic as well as a working background then import them from overseas and train them.
Since 1976, they have provided quality Police Service Dogs to over 500 law enforcement agencies in the United States and several foreign countries.”
Travis Hartman, Pako and Mayor Tri Ta at Adlerhorst. (Photo provided by Tri Ta)
The K-9 handler Hartman said: “Pako and I just finished a 240-hour basic patrol class. We both still have a lot more training to do.”
“All in all, working with Pako has been real fun.”
Tri Ta : “Adlerhorst procurers have to consider the dogs’ genetics, and the veterinarians examine the dog’s hips, backs and elbows one by one before making their decisions.”
“Two my knowledge, all service dogs in the United States are from Europe. I don’t know why.”
“One thing I know, Pako is the most well-known police officer of Westminster PD.”
