(Le Mars) — Le Mars Police Department’s K-9 unit recently performed well at the certification trials, taking home first place in the suspect search and tracking division. Ace, is nearly two years old and is a cross between a Belgium Malinois and a German Shepard. His handler is Officer Bob Rohlmiller, who says he has been working with Ace every day since he was just nine weeks old. Rohlmiller explains the different categories which the Le Mars K-9 dog is now certified.
Rohlmiller says more than 30 dogs competed in the certification trials. Rohlmiller says he was interested in working with police dogs ever since he was young and his parents raise German Shepards.
Officer Rolhmiller tells of a couple crime scene scenarios in which Ace would be called to duty.
In a few weeks Rohlmiller and his dog Ace will be attending a two-day conference to also become certified in drug detection.
(photo courtesy of Le Mars Police Department)
Rolhmiller constantly trains Ace to perform a series of drills which involves running through an obstacle course set up at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds.
In addition to the obstacle course, people may have also noticed a series of four-feet cube-shaped boxes just to the east of the roundbarn. Rohlmiller says they too serve as an integral part of the training of the police canine.
Officer Rohlmiller says he and Ace have been called upon to demonstrate their skills in front of school children at school assemblies and at civic service organizations.
