Warsaw Police Department has three working K-9s: Dax, Mako and Bubka. Pictured is Dax, a Belgian Malinois, and his handler, Cpl. Phil Reed.  (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)

WARSAW — They are trained to serve and protect, but instead of two legs they do so on four, or paws to be precise. There are three working police canines at the Warsaw Police Department: Dax, Mako and Bubka.

The K-9s and their handlers are: Cpl. Phil Reed and his dog, Dax; Officer Trent Shively and his dog, Mako; and Bubka, whose handler wishes to remain anonymous due to the nature of his job. All of the canines are males.

Warsaw Police Department K-9 unit started in 1989, with the first K-9, a 22-month-old German Shepherd named Jimmy. The K-9 unit expanded in 2006, when WPD received a grant from the K-21 Foundation. Today, WPD enlists the help of three, highly-trained police K-9s. These K-9s have saved lives and apprehended hundreds of perpetrators.

Dax and Mako, both Belgian Malinois breeds, are trained to detect narcotics and conduct handler protection. Dax joined the department in April 2013. Dax is a dual-purpose narcotic K-9, which means he is trained to both track and bite. At 95 pounds, he is WPD’s largest K-9.

Like Dax, Mako is a dual-purpose Belgian Malinois. He has been with the department since October 2013. Mako is used in searches for drugs or dangerous felons. He can reach speeds of up to 30 mph. Mako’s handler is Shively.
Bubka, an English cocker spaniel, joined the department in 2015, and he is trained in narcotics detection and tracking.

“He is responsible for one of our largest seizures of cocaine in the county,” said Capt. Joel Beam, who oversees the K-9 division.

At one time, Beam had his own working dog, Buddy, for eight years, until the K-9 died. “It was the highlight of my career,” said Beam. Today, Buddy’s ashes sit on one of Beam’s shelves in his office.

There were four K-9 dogs in the department, from 1989 to 2014, with Dax, Mako and Bubka bringing the total to seven in the history of the K-9 unit. Beam said it’s unusual for a department of his size to have three canines at once.

One of the dogs, Mako, earned third place at the K-9 Olympics in Denver, Ind., in an open area narcotics search earlier this month. There were 100-plus dogs at the Indiana event.

The canines are expensive, said Beam. All three of the dogs were paid for by an anonymous donor. Each K-9 costs between $15,000 and $18,000.

To become a K-9 handler, an officer must first submit an application of interest, and obviously, said Beam, “must like working with dogs.” Each handler spent between three weeks and six weeks training with the dogs. Bubka and his handler spent three weeks doing training.

“He’s always ready to go; he is a high drive dog,” said Bubka’s handler.

“The initial training was stressful, but it’s good bonding,” added Reed. “It forces you to get close to your dog; you bond quickly.”

Police dogs typically work for eight years. However, a Belgian Malinois can work for 12 to 14 years. The three dogs are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bubka is a day shift dog.

Each K-9 must undergo regular testing. “We do re-certification every year,” said Shively. “If they mess up, it’s your fault.”

When the K-9s are off duty, they live with their handlers, but are always on call. “It takes a lot of dedication,” said Shively.

Bubka, an English cocker spaniel, is trained in narcotics detection. He is pictured after successfully finding marijuana. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)

Mako, a dual-purpose Belgian Malinois, is trained to conduct handler protection and detect narcotics. His handler is Officer Trent Shively, his partner in fighting crime in Warsaw. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)