K9 Condor

 

Condor, the New Berlin Police Department's newest K-9 officer, displayed some of his skills and personality during our meeting on June 11. Born in the Czech Republic in September 2011, Condor made his way to the Steinig Tal Kennel in Campbellsport, Wis. Steinig Tal runs a K-9 academy, and that's where Condor received training in narcotics detection and tracking. After being acquired by NBPD, in June 2013, Condor was assigned to 3rd shift Officer JJ Ament.

 

Ament and Condor got introduced to each other during an intensive 4-week course at Steinig Tal. They return for two 8-hour courses of follow-up training each month.

 

Though Condor sports a plush coat of black fur, he is pure German shepherd, Ament says. That coat gives Condor a "fluffy and cute" appearance, but the dog is all business. Condor learned his commands in German, and now also understands some English.

 

As is typical with police dogs, Condor lives with his handler. Ament and his wife have another dog but no children. "He [Condor] is a member of my family," Ament says.

 

Condor is involved in narcotics detection, searches and suspect apprehension. Just a year into his career with New Berlin, he has assisted in 20-30 arrests, according to Ament. Condor is the 10th dog the New Berlin Police Department has had in a program that stretches back to the 1970s.

 

One of the biggest challenges, Ament says, "is asking the dog to make human decisions," particularly involving apprehensions. He and Condor have developed a rapport in the past year, and Ament expects the two to fully "mesh" in another year or two.

 

As a reward for a job well done, Ament offers Condor a rolled up towel to chew on. "It's play for him," Ament says. Condor showed that during a friendly tug-of-war match with Ament after a "search" during our meeting.

 

Ament says that Condor is performing very well. "[He] works great for what we need him for."