Trooper Michael Organ and K-9 “Zeke” Graduate from ISP K-9 Academy
Putnamville---Today, the Indiana State Police held a graduation ceremony for the 2016 ISP K-9 Academy Class at the Indiana State Police Museum in Indianapolis. The ceremony graduated four ISP troopers from around the state and their K-9 partners.
Trooper Michael Organ, assigned to the Putnamville Post, and his K-9 “Zeke” were among the graduates. Organ is a 4 ½ year veteran of the ISP. “Zeke” is a two-year old German Shepherd and will accompany Organ on routine patrol within the Putnamville District.
During the fourteen week academy, “Zeke” had 500 hours of training in narcotic searches, aggression control work, building searches, tracking, article searches, and obedience. “Zeke” is a certified Police Service Dog through the International Police Work Dog Association (IPWADA). “Zeke” 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, “We are both proud and excited today for Trooper Organ and “Zeke”. We now look forward to their potential for enhancing our criminal enforcement capabilities within our district”
The Putnamville District is comprised of Parke, Vermillion, Vigo, Clay, Putnam, and Sullivan counties.
Trooper Organ and “Zeke” now accompany Trooper Ian Portteus and “Czar” as the K-9 handlers for the Putnamville District.
Attached picture Left to Right: ISP Superintendent Douglas Carter presenting the graduation certificate to Trooper Michael Organ and K-9 “Zeke”.
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