New K-9 team patrolling in Linn County

CEDAR RAPIDS - A new K-9 team is patrolling Linn County.

In late November, Linn County Sheriff's Office Deputy Derek Steines returned from six weeks of training with his new partner, a German Shepherd named Bingo. The team has been patrolling overnights since then.

Steines - a 9-year veteran of the sheriff's office with two years of patrol under his belt - said working with a dog is a natural fit for him.

'I've always liked dogs,” he said. 'I wanted to work with dogs. Secondly, I take pride in doing a good job and doing my job well. A dog is another tool for me to utilize to increase my productivity and get more narcotics off the street.”

That fit is what Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner said he was looking for when selecting his next K-9 officer. The department has two other K-9 teams.

'Derek was a good pick,” Gardner said, nothing Steines and his wife were previously part of a German Shepherd rescue program. 'He's been on patrol for a while, he and his family are used to the large breed dogs, he had the drive and desire to be a K-9 handler.”

Bingo is trained in narcotics detection, as well as apprehension. Steines and his new partner were paired up during Steines' first day at Cobra Canine, a training facility in Tennessee. Bingo stayed with Steines for the entire six weeks of training, which included training on tracking, detection, handler protection and apprehension.

Steines said he and Bingo bonded quickly during training.

Now back on patrol, Steines said he and Bingo are working well together, but also figuring each other out a bit. He said the work can be challenging, but also gratifying.

'It's very rewarding,” he said.

Steines said his goals for his new role in the department are simple.

'To just be more effective at my job,” he said. 'To be able to apprehend those subjects that wouldn't be able to be found. To take more drugs off the street.”

Obtaining Bingo and the six-week training course cost about $13,500, Gardner said. It cost an additional $5,800 to outfit Steines' patrol vehicle with a cage for the dog. Gardner said Pets Playhouse, a Cedar Rapids pet store, donated $8,000 to the sheriff's office as part of the businesses' annual K-9 fundraiser. Gardner said Pets Playhouse has been hosting an annual K-9 fundraiser for several years.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com