Veteran’s, hospital initiatives OK’d
May 7, 2013Clearer plan was needed to pass millage hike
May 7, 2013
They may not really be faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive or able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office K-9 officers now have a new place to improve their speed, power and leaping techniques.
“These dogs must be able to jump in the window of a moving vehicle,” said Sheriff Craig Webre. “They go into blind areas and places with smoke or fire, all while listening to and following the commands of their trainers. They do lots of things that people do not realize.”
Webre was joined by Ben Bordelon, executive vice president of repair at Bollinger Shipyards, at the LPSO Shooting Range Facility in Raceland as he unveiled a new obstacle course to be used for K-9 training. Bollinger built and donated the 10 course obstacles, each of which are intended to simulate on-the-job impediments: a wall with a window-like hole; a wooden structure with steps and a simulated brick wall; fences; barrels to simulate tunnels and drains; and a structure similar to the underside of a raised home.
“As a lifelong resident of Lafourche Parish, I have seen first-hand the improvements in protection and service that Sheriff Webre and his staff have brought to our community,” Bordelon said. “Our company has always had a great working relationship with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, and to be able to contribute to such a specific group like the K-9 section is really special to us.
“It was an opportunity for us to use our fine craftsmen, as Sheriff Webre calls them. We are excited to support the department and community,” he added.
“We extend our sincerest thanks and gratitude to the wonderful staff of Bollinger Shipyards for the construction and donation of this obstacle course,” Webre said. “Due to the variety of situations for which K-9 units are utilized, proper training is of the utmost importance. This course will help test and maintain each animal’s agility and help to familiarize them with obstacles they will regularly encounter.”
K-9 deputies are used for a variety of purposes including searching buildings, tracking and apprehending fugitives or missing persons – alive or dead, finding explosives and, most often, hunting for narcotics. The dogs are also used in situations where it may not be safe for a deputy to enter.
“These dogs must be in a constant state of readiness. The dogs and their handlers train weekly,” the sheriff said.
“These dogs can assist in our schools and with homeland security. We now have several thousand dollars’ worth of equipment to utilize when training our dogs,” he said of the training structures.
“Being a K-9 deputy requires an extra level of dedication,” Webre added. “They must endure continuous training with their K-9 partner to maintain their sharp skills, and they are often called upon when they are off-duty and in the middle of the night. We appreciate and applaud their commitment to serve.”
The LPSO currently employs four K-9 officers, and each dog is assigned its own handler.
“It’s very self-satisfying, to train the dog yourself,” said Sgt. Trent Duplantis, K-9 division supervisor, as he ran his Dutch shepherd Bo through the obstacle course. “It’s not like a computer, where you can just upgrade it with just a few clicks. You have to upgrade the dogs yourself.”
Duplantis, a 13-year veteran of the sheriff’s department, was recently recognized by the 17th Judicial District Court for his expertise in the K-9 field.
“It’s great to see the outcome of your hard work and training and see how each dog performs,” said fellow K-9 Deputy Paul Finn, who has been working with his Dutch shepherd Dio for about a year.
While Duplantis and Finn like to see the end result of their hard work, Deputy Lance Leblanc’s favorite thing about being a K-9 officer is much simpler.
“I just like working with dogs,” he said as he scratched Rico, a Belgian Malinois, behind the ears.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy Lance Leblanc runs K-9 officer Rico, a Belgian Malinois, through the department’s new K-9 training course in Raceland. Leblanc and the dog have been working together for two years.
