Canine Unit

The Sheriff's K-9 Unit consists of five tracking teams and two canine teams dedicated to narcotics detection.

The tracking dogs are trained to locate, follow, and alert on fresh human scent, which includes suspects who have walked or run away from crime scenes or who have barricaded themselves in a building or house. The canines are also trained to protect the handler and to hold a violent or dangerous person from escaping. The K-9 Unit members are on-call 24-hours a day.

Prior to being deployed as a canine team, each handler and canine must complete a minimum of 400 hours of basic training and pass the Oregon Police Canine Association Standards. These standards are demonstrated annually. Additionally, each team trains weekly to maintain proficiency.

The K-9 Unit also participates in dozens of public demonstrations every year. The canines are a crowd favorite and usually steal the hearts of adults and children. To request a canine demonstration, please contact Sergeant Mike Alexander at (503) 846-5929.

 

Sergeant Mike Alexander

The Sheriff's K-9 Unit is led by Sergeant Mike Alexander, one of our Narcotics Detection Canine handlers. Sergeant Alexander joined the Sheriff's Office in 1997. His K-9 partner, "Blade", was imported from the Netherlands and trained as a Patrol K-9 in 2000. Because of his scenting abilities, Blade was trained and dedicated to narcotics detection; he completed the extensive Narcotics Detection Handler's school in May of 2003. Sergeant Alexander and Blade are routinely called upon to assist drug enforcement agencies within the Metropolitan area and have been responsible for some amazing narcotics finds. Blade has become one of the premier narcotics detection dogs in the state.

Corporal James Cuthbertson

Corporal Cuthbertson began his career with the Sheriff's Office Jail in 1996 and transferred to the Patrol Division in January of 1999. His K-9 partner is "Zurg". Zurg is a German Shepherd Dog who was imported from Czech Republic and holds a Schutzhund 1 title. Deputy Cuthbertson and Zurg completed their 400-hour K-9 Handler School in March 2007, and immediately went to work.

Deputy Kevin Figueroa    

Deputy Figueroa is a seasoned K-9 handler. He was initially hired in 1998 as a Corrections Deputy in the Jail Division; he transferred to the Patrol Division in 2000. Deputy Figueroa has had two K-9 partners, including his current partner "Gus". Gus is a German Shepherd Dog who was imported from Czechoslovakia and holds a Schutzhund 1 title. Deputy Figueroa and Gus completed the 400-hour K-9 School in June of 2007.

Deputy Tim Mateski     

Deputy Tim Mateski joined the Sheriff's K-9 team in the Fall of 2007. He has been with the Sheriff's Office since 2004 and was assigned as a patrol deputy before his selection to the K9 Unit. Deputy Mateski has been assigned canine "Titan". Titan is a purebred German Shepherd imported from the Czech Republic; he was 13 months old when he was selected by the Sheriff's Office. Deputy Mateski and Titan completed a 400-hour K-9 School in March 2008, and they have been working the streets since.

Deputy Pete Olson

Deputy Olson is the newest member of the Washington County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit.  Deputy Olson joined the Sheriff's Office in 1998 before joining the Patrol Division's canine team in August 2009.  Deputy Olson's K-9 partner, "Tau", is a 2-year-old purebred Belgian Malinois, imported from the Czech Republic.  Having completed a 240-hour narcotics detection training course, Tau's primary job is to detect and find illegal narcotics.  Deputy Olson and Tau work directly with drug enforcement agencies serving the Portland Metropolitan area.