Howell K-9 Officer Jago HOWELL — Officers in the Howell Police Department have been dealing with a growing heroin and narcotics epidemic for several years, but with the help of a special German shepherd, their efforts to combat the plague of drugs has met with significant success.
Jago, an 8-year-old, 80-pound German shepherd who has been on the force since 2009, has been instrumental in patrolling, conducting searches and seizures of narcotics, and arresting suspects, according to Howell Patrolman Nicholas Bondarew, who is Jago’s handler.
In his career, Jago has successfully assisted with more than 1,000 searches.
“Jago is a patrol dog who is crosstrained to sniff out narcotics, so he is considered a dual-service dog,” Bondarew said.
Jago was 2 when he came to the United States from Germany and was sent to a facility that sells police dogs, according to Bondarew, who purchased Jago for $6,000.
“Police officers who are looking to implement dogs into their force go to these facilities to test the dogs. The day I got Jago, there were about five dogs there, and Jago definitely stood out from the rest,” the officer said.
Jago was trained for police work at a K- 9 academy in Atlantic County, and Bondarew underwent training, as well.
“Jago had to go through a patrol school, which is usually 18 weeks. Then, to crosstrain, he went to a school that helps him locate different scents for explosives or narcotics, which takes an additional 14 weeks,” he said.
“I attend training school for the same time and also attend in-service training twice a month, where we try out different scenarios with the dogs to test their skills.”
During training, Jago undergoes tests that measure his level of fear around people and his ability to sniff out narcotics and locate suspects, according to Bondarew.
Speaking from experience as an officer who had a K-9 partner, Howell Police Capt. Andrew Kudrick said the K-9 unit is a significant benefit to the department. The credibility of a K-9 is usually never questioned once a case involving a dog like Jago is brought to court, he said.
On a routine narcotics search, there are several responsibilities Jago handles successfully, according to Bondarew.
“When Jago is deployed, I use basic command communication with him. At a vehicle stop, Jago will walk around the car and show certain body language so I know if he smells anything. He usually focuses hard and puts his nose to the ground, then he gradually lifts his head up toward where the smell is coming from. This is him detailing the scene just like a human officer would,” Bondarew said.
Jago is always on call, according to Bondarew, who said, “Jago goes home with me daily, and I have a car that is fitted to hold him with a kennel and removed seats. He is with me all the time, and I take care of him even after my shift at the department is over for the day.”
The dedication of K-9 officers like Bondarew has played a crucial role in the tracking and successful location of missing people, the seizure of narcotics and dangerous suspects, and the removal of threats, according to Howell Police Lt. Thomas Rizzo.
“The K-9 officers are like a different breed of people in the Police Department, and it takes a special guy to do what Nick does. Nick is known for his humility when it comes to this. Whenever Jago is there with us on a search, it gives us added confidence,” he said.
Bondarew said he is proud of Jago and the work he has done for the Police Department.
“The most important part of Jago’s job is the patrol work he does, just because the abilities he possesses help us better than a human would. His help in finding narcotics, drug dealers and other violators of the law has been instrumental with the work we do,” he said.
Jago is expected to continue working until he is about 10 years old, and possibly longer, according to Bondarew.
“Jago is very healthy, so I would like to work him until [he is 10], and that is what I am striving for. His body might break down, but his mindset still makes him feel like he is king of the jungle,” the officer said.