Trooper Portteus and K-9 'Czar' graduate from ISP K-9 Academy

Friday, July 17, 2015

PUTNAMVILLE -- Indiana State Police conducted a graduation ceremony Thursday for the 2015 ISP K-9 Class at the Indiana State Police Museum in Indianapolis.

Trooper Ian Portteus, assigned to the Putnamville Post, and his K-9 "Czar" were among the graduates.

ISP Supt. Douglas Carter (left) presents a graduation certificate to Putnamville Trooper Ian Portteus and his K-9 partner "Czar"

In all 9 ISP troopers from around the state and their K-9 partners were graduated in the ceremony, along with Putnam County Sheriff's Department deputy Virgil Lanning and his K-9 partner Tango.

Portteus is a 2 ½-year veteran of the ISP. "Czar" is an 18-month-old German Shepherd imported from the country of Poland.

"Czar" will accompany Portteus on routine patrol within the Putnamville District.

During the 14-week academy, "Czar" had 500 hours of training in narcotic searches, aggression control work, building searches, tracking, article searches and obedience. "Czar" is a certified Police Service Dog through the International Police Work Dog Association (IPWADA).

"Czar" is certified in the detection of narcotic odors related to methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, ecstasy and heroin. The K-9 academy was under the direction of ISP Master Trainer Sgt. Dennis Wade and trainers Master Trooper Kevin Waters, Senior Trooper Mick Dockery and Senior Trooper Chris Richey, along with ISP K-9 coordinator Tony Knox and ISP Special Operations Commander Major Pat O'Connor.

"The primary initiative of the ISP K-9 team is to search for and locate suspect(s) or evidence that can be linked to a specific crime. The dog is one of the few investigative tools that is available to the patrol team," ISP K-9 Trainer Master Trooper Kevin Waters commented.

"Today is a proud moment for Ian, 'Czar' and our Putnamville District," Lt. Dan Jones, commander of the Putnamville Post, said. "Ian is a great trooper and this will only enhance his abilities to service the public and fight crime and illegal drug trafficking within our district."

The Putnamville District is comprised of Putnam, Parke, Vermillion, Vigo, Clay and Sullivan counties.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: