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This profile was automatically generated using 1 reference found on the Internet. This information has not been verified. Learn more...
This profile was automatically generated using 1 reference found on the Internet. This information has not been verified. Learn more...
Web References
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1. News Channel 9: Rookie Officer Patrols Silverdale For Drugs
www.newschannel9.com/vnews/top - [Cached]Last Visited: 11/24/2004
Her partner, K-9 Officer, Michele Johnson has been with Silverdale as a Corrections officer for nine years. She says, "She is only a narcotic detection dog." Johnson adds, "Oh yes, she loves to work. She definitely likes to work. She looks forward to it every day." Demi recently graduated from a school in Arizona that taught her how to follow her nose. Now, she makes daily rounds in the jail to police for drugs and contraband. Officer Johnson explains, "We start out and do the mail room. We usually have anywhere from five to fifteen packages a day. We'll search those everyday for contraband. Then, we'll at least try to got through two units a day." Johnson adds, "When she finds something, smells something, she will aggressively alert and she will scratch at it." Demi's reward is positive reinforcement. Johnson says, "I have to verify it is actual narcotics before I reward her, and then we have what we call a drug toy. There's no drugs in it or anything, but that's her reward. Then she's happy. She knows she did a good job." Johnson adds, Demi's presence and skills are making a difference at the facility. "We want to make sure the inmates and staff know that she is here and she is ready to work. Just her presence alone is a good deterrent for people bringing in contraband." Officer Johnson says CCA has only 18, K-9 officers in it's facilities. She adds, that Demi is the very first K-9, at Silverdale. Demi works a full-time, working five days a week and is on-call on weekends. Since she arrived at Silverdale, Demi has made three narcotics seizures. We're told, it takes about $5000 to obtain and train K-9's like Demi. The average working life the dog is three to five years. K-9 officer, Michele Johnson says, Demi has a bright future ahead of her.
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