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As if there is not enough exciting agenda items for tonight's city council meeting, there will be a Police K9 Demo at 6:00 pm on the grounds of city hall before the regular city council meeting at 7:00 pm.
Two new BPD K-9's were purchased through the donations, generosity and support of the public and these donors will be recognized too.
– Written by Fiona
Burlingame police show off new canine units
By Christine Morente
San Mateo County Times
BURLINGAME Ivan and Vader will be either your best friends or your worst enemies, based on a simple command.
That’s how Burlingame police officers Roy Bryson and Keky Duren want it.
For the last few months, Ivan, a Czech shepherd, and Vader, a German shepherd, have been on the beat with their handlers to help search, protect, and apprehend bad guys.
On Monday, the two canines showed their sweet and vicious sides to members of the City Council and residents outside City Hall.
“Their ability to turn it on and turn it off is amazing,” Bryson said Monday.
When Bryson puts Ivan on alert, the dog’s head perks up, his body becomes rigid and he starts to look around.
“When he sees the bad guy, he gets target lock,” Bryson said. “He’ll stand up on his hind legs, growl and bark at his guy. No one would want to pet him then.”
Ivan was born and trained in Czechoslovakia, while Vader is from Germany. The department bought the two dogs from Witmer Tyson Kennel in Menlo Park after 12 major donors raised close to $30,000, said Burlingame police Sgt. Jeff Downs.
They’ll join Niko, an 8-year-old German shepherd, who is expected to be in surgery this week for a bad knee injury.
Downs, the supervisor of the canine unit, said Niko may retire soon. His replacement is expected to come early next year. The hope is to have three dogs on the street at any given time.
Duren, who handles Vader, said she wanted to be a part of the canine unit since she was 6 years old.
The 31-year-old officer said a ride-along in Burlingame with Downs when she was a teenager sealed the deal. She’s been with the department for about seven years.
Congrats to Officer Downs and Chief Van Etten for finally getting new police dogs. I recall doing a ride along with him several years ago when he noted that he was hoping to get new dogs.
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