Behind the Badge
Full of entertaining skits, fun competition, several helicopter flyovers, and even fireworks, the Orange County Police Canine Association’s K9 demonstration returned this month for its 29th show.
The Oct. 14 event at Anaheim’s Glover Stadium, MC’d by Anaheim PD K9 Officer and OCPCA President Brett Klevos, featured Orange County agency K9 units, including Anaheim PD, Fullerton PD, Garden Grove PD, La Habra PD, Orange PD, Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Tustin PD, and Westminster PD, as well as Orange County Probation and U.S. Marine Corps Camp Pendleton.
Members of the West County SWAT Team move toward a car with a pretend bad guy with their K9s ready to go during the OCPCA 29th annual Police K9 Demonstration.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“It takes a lot of hard work, training, and education to make it out onto this field,” GGPD Master Officer Edgar Valencia told the audience as he introduced a skit. His partner is a black German shepherd named Vader.
The skits included a presentation with Victory Tae Kwon Do, in which some muzzled K9s came onto the field wearing white belts and “fighting” with members of the tae kwon do school. Not surprisingly, the dogs were the victors. OCSD’s K9 team gave a demonstration, including WPD Officer Travis Hartman and his K9, Belgian Malinois/Dutch shepherd, Pako. As the only K9 for the WPD, Pako participates in regular training with the OCSD.
OCSD Deputy Kyle Sheek’s K9 partner, Arco, leaps onto Sheek’s shoulders during the OCPCA 29th annual Police K9 Demonstration.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“The annual OCPCA show is one of the best ways for the officer/K9 teams to reach the public and show them just how incredible our partners are and how much they enjoy their jobs,” Hartman told Behind the Badge. “A lot of work goes into this show and it showed tonight. Everyone put on a great show for the public.”
West County SWAT showed how they would handle a criminal firing a weapon (in this case, with blanks) during their demonstration. A flash bomb, with its very bright light and loud bang, was used, along with a K9, and the “bad guy” was brought to justice.
Orange PD Officer Jude King enters Glover Stadium with his K9 partner, Griffin, along with the rest of the law enforcement K9 teams.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
One of the event highlights included the hoisting of OCSD K9 Falco and his handler into a 1974 UH-1H sheriff’s department helicopter.
There was even a game of “football” with officers vs. K9s and their handlers.
Garden Grove PD Officer Edgar Valencia is introduced with his K9 partner, Vader, during the 29th Annual OCPCA Police K9 Demonstration at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
APD K9 Officer Michael Dohmann, along with his German shepherd, Torro, won the Toughest Dog competition, which tests the dogs’ speed as they pursue a suited-up decoy.
OCSD Deputy Pablo Alvarez enters the stadium with his K9 partner, Chavo, during the OCPCA 29th annual Police K9 Demonstration.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
A K9 handler for about 1 1/2 years, Dohmann said this is his second time participating in the show.
“The experience was incredible for both Torro and I,” he said. “We train constantly, so to perform the way he did makes me proud.”
He said they’ll definitely be back next year.
“It’s a great way to get the community involved to see our dogs work,” he said. “It shows how great every agency’s dogs are by the time and dedication they put in.”
An OCSD deputy takes his K9 partner up to a helicopter using a special K9 harness during the OCPCA show.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
An OCSD deputy takes his K9 partner to a helicopter using a special K9 harness.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Police K9s dressed like bulls go after an officer playing the part of a Matador.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCSD Deputy Gerard McCann walks into Glover Stadium with his K9 partner, Falco.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCSD Deputy Jennifer Cole and her K9 partner, Mercy, are introduced during the opening ceremonies for the OCPCA 29th annual Police K9 Demonstration.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCSD Deputy Ryan Reneau, left, walks into Glover Stadium with his K9 partner, Max.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Kids from Victory Tae Kwon Do in Fullerton give a demonstration during the OCPCA 29th annual Police K9 Demonstration at Glover Stadium.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The La Habra PD Honor Guard enters Glover Stadium at the start of the OCPCA 29th annual Police K9 Demonstration.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OC Sheriff Department Explorers stand to sing the National Anthem at the start of the OCPCA 29th annual Police K9 Demonstration.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCSD Deputy Jennifer Cole interacts with her K-9 partner, Mercy, during opening ceremonies.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Garden Grove PD Officer Edgar Valencia gets ready to release his K9 partner, Vader, during the OCPCA Toughest Dog competition.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
While wearing a muzzle, La Habra PD K9 Rita knocks down a pretend bad guy during the OCPCA Toughest Dog competition.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCSD deputy and returning champion Ryan Buhr prepares to release his K9 partner, Conan, during the OCPCA Toughest Dog competition.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
La Habra PD Officer Travis Nelson, right, with his K9 partner, Rita, during the OCPCA 29th annual Police K9 Demonstration.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCSD Deputy Kyle Sheek releases his K9 partner, Arco, during the OCPCA Toughest Dog competition at Glover Stadium.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
An Orange County Sheriff’s Department helicopter, Duke, flies over Glover Stadium as the crowd watches during the OCPCA 29th annual Police K9 Demonstration.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Press photographers get the brunt of a police helicopter’s prop wash during the OCPCA show.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
A Huntington PD helicopter makes a tight turn over Glover Stadium during the OCPCA 29th annual Police K9 Demonstration.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCSD Deputy Sarah Pavuk with her K9 partner, Buck, during opening ceremonies.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Westminster PD Travis Hartman and his K9 partner, Pako, left, are introduced with OCSD Deputy Kyle Sheek and his K9 partner, Arco, at the annual police K9 demonstration.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCSD Deputy Kent Carpenter and his K-9 partner, Ketel, during the opening ceremonies for the OCPCA 29th Annual Police K-9 Demonstration.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim PD Officer RJ Young plays the part of a decoy.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
A fireworks show concludes the OCPCA 29th Annual Police K-9 Demonstration at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
An Anaheim PD helicopter, Angel, flies over Glover Stadium.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
