Full Notification

Cpl. Mike Hernandez and his K9 partner Denzel recently won a 5th place award for their work in Narcotic Vehicle Searches at the 31st annual Sierra K9 Trials held in Visalia, Ca. The Sierra K-9 Trial is a law enforcement canine and handler competition, hosted by the Tulare County Sheriff and Visalia Police Department K-9 Units.

The 2016 Sierra K-9 Trial, was held at Plaza Park Raceway in Visalia. K9 units from police departments around the State competed in agility, handler protection, vehicle searches, and building searches. Cpl. Hernandez and his partner Denzel excelled in the narcotic vehicle search and finished in 5th out of all the competitors.

The ECPD K9 program consists of two officers and their four legged partners. Our dogs are cross trained in handler protection and narcotic searches/tracking. This was the first competition entered by Cpl. Hernandez and we are proud of his dedicated efforts working with Denzel. Not many know a K9 officer spends many hours away from work continually training and working with the dog. Many hours are spent reinforcing discipline, tactics, and searches as well as caring for the dog. The life of a police K9 handler does not end when the partners go off-duty; they live and work together away from the job.

Congratulations Cpl. Hernandez and Denzel. If you see them on the street, use caution but Cpl. Hernandez is always willing to talk with citizens and do local K9 demonstrations for civic groups.