K-9 Unit Roscoe Provides Service to Butler County Ohio

Officer Matt Hardin and K-9 Roscoe practice Dutch commands- Video by Claire Williams

By Claire Williams

Miami University Journalism Student

He waits all day for the cue from his partner. As the sky darkens, he gets more restless until finally, at 7 p.m., the bullet-proof vest comes on and he knows it is time to work.

His actions have brought in drugs off the street and resulted in four criminal convictions and he's only been at the Oxford Police Department for four months.

Meet Roscoe the nearly 2-year-old German Shepard who joined the Oxford Police Department from Hungary. His handler is Oxford Police Officer Matthew Hardin.

Roscoe was imported to the United States in May from Holland, after he was moved there from Hungary. German Shepherds are bred as working dogs in Europe and previous K-9 dogs for the OPD were bred in Europe.

Hardin, beginning his fifth year with the OPD, and Roscoe trained together for six weeks at the Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania before the pair could go out on duty together. Obedience is the key for K-9 units to ensure they know and obey commands.

Roscoe is sponsored by Tri-Health, a Cincinnati health care organization. Oxford paid $15,000 upfront for Roscoe. But Tri-Health, which partnered with the Matt Haverkamp Foundation, reimbursed the city for the dog and his continued expenses.

The Matt Haverkamp Foundation was created in 2006, in memory of the Cincinnati-area K-9 officer who died in a car accident in 2005.

Oxford City Manager Douglas Elliot said the foundation will pay for Roscoe while he works for Oxford police, through the city. So the foundation gives the money to the city to pay for Roscoe, who pay for his expenses.

Paying for K-9

The city of Oxford budget set aside $14,000 was saved to pay for any K-9 units for the next five years. Those funds come from the Law Enforcement Trust Fund, which are paid for by asset seizure and forfeiture. The OPD is not allowed to take that money and pay the officers with it.

“The money must be used for training, equipment and things of that nature,” Hardin said. “It’s a self-sustaining program.”

While Roscoe lives with Hardin, the dog is the property of Oxford. The city pays for medical expenses, food, dishes, and equipment. Most police dogs are retired between the ages of 6 and 8. At that time, Hardin wil have the option to buy him from Oxford.

“He lives with me, but if the city wanted to go and get him tomorrow and remove him from my house, they could,” Hardin said.

Drug Busts Pay the Bills

Financially, Roscoe “pays for himself” according to Sergeant Dave King. King was a K-9 handler for nine years, and his dog Dover was retired in 2014.

Whatever costs the city incurs that is not covered by forfeiture or seizure funds is reimbursed by Tri-Health.

“All it takes in the course of a K-9's career is one big narcotics arrest where assets are seized and the dog will have paid for itself,'' Kling said.

Sgt. Ryan Sikora is the director of the K-9 program. He helped Hardin during the selection process of Roscoe, and oversees training and equipment purchases. He also was a handler for six years with his K-9, Cole.

"The biggest achievement for Cole was a drug seizure which consisted of a large quantity of powdered ecstasy and approximately $26,000 in cash," Sikora said.

OPD K-9's Past

Typically, Oxford police has two dogs in service.

The K-9 units are primarily used for narcotic detection. They can also be used for tracking suspects and lost or missing people.

Roscoe has detected drugs and other paraphernalia 33 times since he started in August.

“The dogs are the best non-lethal resource that we have. The only tool we can use around the corner, if I get knocked unconscious, a criminal can’t take the dog from me. He won’t listen to someone else,” Hardin said.

The dogs also provide another service: connection with the community. The OPD has done public demonstrations where Oxford residents could meet the dog afterwards.

“Whenever I brought the dog out on an actual call the bystanders were certainly interested,'' King said.

Hardin and Roscoe turn heads when out together, especially when the two practice commands in the high school parking lot.

Sgt. Adam Price has worked for the OPD for almost 12 years, and he has seen five K-9 units come through, including a bloodhound and four German Shepherds.

Audio File: Sgt. Price Lists K-9 Units

He Goes Where He's Needed

Roscoe is often called to help other law enforcement agencies across Butler County that don't have dogs, Hardin said.

The pair work 45 to 50 hours a week.

“We use our dog almost everyday, and we use him for the county, Miami University, Oxford Township and other smaller agencies,'' Hardin said.

The city would like to get another K-9 in 2018, but the decision has not been finalized.

“The are many instances in law enforcement where a K-9 has saved an officer or citizen’s life. You can’t put a price tag on that,” King said.

Top Photo: Roscoe and Officer Hardin before a night of patrolling. -Photograph by Claire Williams