SHALIMAR — Deputies Joseph Trimboli and Zachery Putnam have joined the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.
K-9 handlers make up less than 1 percent of the sheriff’s office — and law enforcement officers in general.
Achieving the status is not an easy process.
First, applicants go through a multifaceted tryout process and, if they make it through that, they must wait months or even years for a chance to become a handler.
In addition, they must attend K-9 school, which takes over three months to complete — and graduation is not automatic.
“Many have tried, many have failed. It takes tenacity, blood, sweat, and tears just to finish the school,” an OCSO media release stated. “It is a physically and mentally demanding course designed to make sure the K-9 handler and their dog are ready to make a successful team on the street.
“Since they are literally the tip of the spear, they cannot afford to be ‘sort of ready’; they need to be 100 percent ready to handle whatever may come their way.”
Trimboli, along with his partner K-9 Esuda, and Deputy Putnam, with his partner K-9 Titan, have achieved this status by certifying under standards set forth by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Both are trained and certified in the disciplines of narcotics detection and K-9 patrol work, which includes locating hiding suspects, lost persons, evidence and apprehension.
“The danger of the job is very real,” an OCSO media release stated. “K-9 handlers are responsible for locating the very worst of the criminal population, doing everything in their power to avoid capture. The K-9 team will go places others fear to tread. It is just part of the job.
“These brave handlers and their K-9 partner will know firsthand the lengths people will go to escape, but will without hesitation put themselves between these people and the community they are sworn to protect. They are an essential part of the sheriff’s office.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa Sheriff's Office: 2 K9 handlers earn their paws