Photo: Searcy County deputy sheriff Joey Baysinger and his new K9 partner, Vader
The Searcy County Sheriff’s Office has a new deputy, K9 officer Vader. Sheriff Kenny Cassell says Vader is a 2-year-old male Belgian Malinois who recently completed his training with his partner, Searcy County deputy Joey Baysinger.
Sheriff Cassell says before beginning patrol with Baysinger, the pair completed a two-week training course at the Von Klein Stein Working Dog (VKSWD) facility in Sherwood.
According to Searcy County Chief Deputy Dewayne Pierce, VKSWD is a full-service police K9 kennel with over 30 years of experience. VKSWD is owned and operated by veterans, who specialize in police K9s and have serviced departments all over the United States, from starting new K9 units to advancing current K9 units. VKSWD is the only kennel in Arkansas providing first-hand experience in working patrol dogs.
Pierce adds, “All of their K9s are imported from reputable kennels in Europe. K-9s are hand selected by the best in the business and tested for workability and temperament before starting the training process. VKSWD has the ability to customize a K9 to meet our needs. Vader will be an important asset in our fight against drugs in Searcy County. Trust me, the nose knows.”
Baysinger says in early June, he and Vader completed the VKSWD basic handler course designed for new K9 handlers. He says the course covers case law, documentation, K9 health, scent detection, tracking and handler protection. This is commonly a two-week course with 80 plus hours of instruction.
Baysinger adds since he and Vader are now certified as a team, they are now patrolling together. “Vader is a very important part of our department and will help us in our fight against drugs. He has already proven he’s up to the job.” By late June, Vader had his first positive alert on a vehicle.”
Baysinger says Vader is a very friendly dog, very calm and collected and loves children. “But, if you have narcotics on you, he will find them and whatever you do, don’t run from him,” he says.
Baysinger explains when Vader is not on duty, he is like any other dog and lives a normal dog’s life playing and training. He says like with any partner situation, he and Vader have become very attached. Baysinger volunteered to partner with Vader. He says, “I want to help fight the drug problem in Searcy County, and this is one way I can do it.”
Those with questions about Vader or the working dog training class are encouraged to call the Searcy County Detention Center at 870-448-2340.
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