Putnamville---Today, the Indiana State Police held a graduation ceremony for the 2015 ISP K-9 Class at the Indiana State Police Museum in Indianapolis. The ceremony graduated nine ISP troopers from around the state and their K-9 partners, along with one Putnam County Sheriff’s Deputy and his K-9 partner.
Trooper Ian Portteus, assigned to the Putnamville Post, and his K-9 “Czar” were among the graduates. Portteus is a 2 ½ year veteran of the ISP. “Czar” is an 18-month old German Shepherd imported from the country of Poland. “Czar” will accompany Portteus on routine patrol within the Putnamville District.
During the fourteen week academy, “Czar” had 500 hours of training in narcotic searches, aggression control work, building searches, tracking, article searches, and obedience. “Czar” is a certified Police Service Dog through the International Police Work Dog Association (IPWADA). “Czar” is certified in the detection of narcotic odors related to Methamphetamine, Marijuana, Cocaine, Crack Cocaine, Ecstasy, and Heroin. The K-9 academy was under the direction of ISP Master Trainer Sergeant Dennis Wade and trainers Master Trooper Kevin Waters, Senior Trooper Mick Dockery and Senior Trooper Chris Richey, along with ISP K-9 coordinator Tony Knox, and ISP Special Operations Commander Major Pat O’Connor.
“The primary initiative of the ISP K-9 team is to search for and locate suspect(s) or evidence that can be linked to a specific crime. The dog is one of the few investigative tools that is available to the patrol team”, commented ISP K-9 Trainer Master Trooper Kevin Waters.
Lieutenant Dan Jones, Commander of the Putnamville Post, stated, “Today is a proud moment for Ian, “Czar” and our Putnamville District. Ian is a great trooper and this will only enhance his abilities to service the public and fight crime and illegal drug trafficking within our district.”
The Putnamville District is comprised of Parke, Vermillion, Vigo, Clay, Putnam, and Sullivan counties.
Attached picture Left to Right: ISP Superintendent Douglas Carter presenting the graduation certificate to Trooper Ian Portteus, and K-9 “Czar”.
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