Posted: Dec. 1, 2009 |(0) Comments

West Allis — The Police Department's latest sworn officer goes by the name Diesel, comes from a land far away from Wisconsin - and is only 18 months old.

Diesel is the department's new canine, bred to help human officers investigate crimes and catch bad guys.

Except for a few police departments big enough to do their own breeding, police dogs often come from overseas to serve in the United States, police Lt. Barry Waddell said. Diesel comes to West Allis from the Czech Republic, where he was born and trained to be a police dog. His then-owner hand-picked him from many others bred to be "working" dogs.

After making the trek across the Atlantic, Diesel trained for another six weeks in North Carolina and came to West Allis last month. He was formally introduced to the Police and Fire Commission in its November meeting.

His human partner

Diesel's owner is Officer Ryan McNally, who was chosen among six candidates to become the department's dog handler.

Waddell, a former dog handler himself, said for many officers it's a big deal to be selected. An outside panel, consisting of members from other municipalities, chooses officers after they submit resumes and go through interviews.

The panel looks for officers with previous experience in the canine program and who will be dedicated to handling a police dog, Waddell said.

"It's a huge commitment and, for a lot of officers, it's one of their career goals," he said.

When they're off duty, McNally keeps the dog at his home, where he has a kennel next to his garage. This allows Diesel to go inside or outside as he pleases, McNally said.

When McNally retires, his dog will likely retire with him.

Learning to punch in and out

While he has been bred his whole life to be a police dog, the training isn't over.

Diesel will have to learn the difference between off- and on-duty, Police Chief Michael Jungbluth said.

For instance, Diesel will be in the middle of police community outreach events, like National Night Out, where he figures to be a favorite of children, putting him in a far different situation than the duties for which he was trained.

"It can be tough to recognize the difference between on duty and off duty," Jungbluth said.

But when he is on duty, it's all about bringing an animal's eyes, nose and teeth into the process of crime investigation.

Diesel works mainly the third shift, from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., and is also on call during the daytime hours. When he works, he is involved with discovery of evidence, tracking and apprehension of suspects and searches.

Special considerations

McNally will become the first West Allis officer to get a non-traditional police vehicle when the department purchases a Ford Escape specifically for him and Diesel, Jungbluth said.

The West Allis Police Department, and Diesel specifically, will benefit from a couple of local businesses.

The Spirit of 76th Veterinary Clinic, 7606 W. Lincoln Ave., donated the body armor. In a pinch, the department has easy access to the new 24-hour animal hospital, Milwaukee Emergency Center for Animals, in Greenfield.