Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Special Operations Division
-Canine Unit

Deputy Anthony LoRusso - K9 Mars

Deputy Jacob Viano - K9 Chief

Deputy Matthew Aitken - K9 Bosco

Deputy Jeffrey Clement - K9 Badger 

What:
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office canines and their handlers recently attended the annual United States Police Canine Association Region 1 Field Trials.

When:
The trials were held from February 29, 2016 to March 4, 2016.

Where:
The trials were hosted by the Fort Walton County Sheriff’s Office and the NWFSC Criminal Justice Training Center.

Why/How:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office canines and their handlers recently attended the annual United States Police Canine Association Region 1 Field Trials.

The trials were held from February 29, 2016 to March 4, 2016 and hosted by the Fort Walton County Sheriff’s Office and the NWFSC Criminal Justice Training Center.

The annual regional trials routinely attract the best K9 teams from Region 1 (Florida, lower Georgia, lower Alabama) for certifications in Patrol K9 Work, Drug Detection, and/or Bomb Detection.  This year sixty dog teams gathered in Fort Walton County, FL to take part in the trials.

During the trials, four K9 teams from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office were judged in areas of Patrol K9 Work which included Obedience, Agility, Evidence Recovery, Suspect Search, and Criminal Apprehension including Apprehension under Gunfire. The K9 teams participating were Deputy Anthony LoRusso/K9 Mars, Deputy Jacob Viano/K9 Chief, Deputy Matthew Aitken/K9 Bosco, and Deputy Jeffrey Clement/K9 Badger.  In preparation for the trials these teams dedicated many extra hours to sharpen their skills.

On the event’s final day members of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit were recognized for their efforts and earned their United States Police Canine Association Certifications. 

Photo (From Left to Right) Deputy Anthony LoRusso - K9 Mars, Deputy Jacob Viano - K9 Chief, Deputy Matthew Aitken - K9 Bosco, Deputy Jeffrey Clement - K9 Badger