RRSpin - Hannah and her dog: New RRPD team set to hit the streets

Thursday, 20 July 2017 14:03

Hannah and her dog: New RRPD team set to hit the streets ^Featured

Written by Lance Martin

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After watching Officer Hannah Grimes and Jimi go through their paces at Ventosa Kennel, Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty is impressed.

Ventosa trainer Michael Beaulieu is impressed and most importantly Grimes and the nearly 3-year-old Belgian malinois have become an inseparable team.

“He’s probably the best dog I’ve ever had,” Grimes said before demonstrating what she and Jimi have been through at the Scotland Neck training center today. “He looks back at me like his whole world revolves around us.”

“They’re doing great,” Beaulieu said. “It’s amazing. They’re inseparable. It’s like they’ve known each other forever. She keeps him in his place.”

Beaulieu believes the team of Grimes and Jimi will have an immediate impact on the streets. “They’ll be a good team. They work like they’ve been together a couple of years.”

Jimi is one of the five dogs within the police department’s canine program.

The roster also includes Sergeant Daniel Jenkins and Pocock; Master Officer Gerald Morris and Champ; Officer Ryan Cross and Midas and Officer Jamie Hardy and Storm, who will be hitting the streets in August. Jimi is within two weeks of hitting the streets.

“It’s another tool we can use to get drugs off the street, to find lost people, or fleeing suspects or locate evidence,” Hasty said.

Grimes will be the first female dog handler within the department, Hasty said.

When the department announced internally it was seeking another dog handler, Grimes enthusiastically expressed an interest, Hasty said. “She had to go through written research and did an evaluation through Ventosa for aptitude and competency.”

Hasty said Grimes was a perfect fit for the job. “She doesn’t complain. She does her job. It’s just because of her drive as a regular patrol officer.”

The addition of Jimi and Storm means the department will have at least one dog per shift. The dog will be available to help other agencies when the need arises, he said.

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The training has been rigorous, she said, but to see Jimi do his job has been rewarding.

That she will be the first female dog handler within the department is not the most important factor in becoming a canine officer, she said. “There’s so many great female handlers. I was given this great opportunity to do it.”

Grimes is a dog lover and the animals have always been of comfort to her. “It’s a partner to sing to and talk to. They’re great listeners.”

She is acutely aware of the differences between a house dog and police dog. “The canine has to have the basic training of a house dog but it’s a working dog. It has a job it has to do. The level of training is increased more. If he doesn’t follow commands it could be your life.”

She sees Jimi as being a good public relations tool for her and the department. “When people see a dog out in public it makes them not fear us as much.”

Being an officer for more than a year has already been rewarding for her. “I love coming to work not knowing what your day will be. I love the adrenaline kick. I love interacting with people, meeting all types of people. It’s a rewarding job to have. With Jimi it will be twice as much rewarding. He’s a great partner.”

Hasty believes the new partnership will be good for the city. The training at Ventosa, he said, is thorough and precise. “It’s excellent training.”

Read 7162 times Last modified on Thursday, 20 July 2017 18:25