It is with great sadness that we must report that our Canine Krock has passed due to complications from an infection. He will be missed greatly by Canine Officer Trevor Hanke, Trevor's family and by the members of the Ripon Police Department. Krock was a great asset to the Ripon Police Department and an excellent ambassador for the Police Department

Due to a kind and generous donation to the Canine Program by the Riponfest Board of Directors, we have been able to replace Krock with a new german shepard, "Dani" who is a very spunky 2 1/2 year old. Dani has already begun fitting in well with the department.

Officer Hanke and Canine Dani are a certified Patrol and Narcotics Unit. The Patrol certification includes handler protection; tracking for lost people and criminals, area searches, building searches, evidence recovery, agility and obedience. The Narcotics Certification is for the detection of marijuana, cocaine and heroin.

The Canine Unit performs many duties for the City of Ripon Police Department. Dani is able to smell the scent of a human up to a mile away. Dani is used to search buildings for suspects providing a more thorough and safe search of the building. Dani is also used to locate suspects who flee from officers and people who become lost or disorientated. Dani has been trained to bark and hold suspects without injuring the suspect if the officers commands are followed.

The Ripon Public Schools request locker searches of their schools several times each school year. During school searches Dani is directed to smell the exterior of student lockers and vehicles parked in the parking lots. Danis sense of smell is approximately 100 times greater than a human. When Dani detects the odor of Narcotics he aggressively indicates by scratching at the source of the odor.

When Dani is not on duty he resides with Officer Hanke at his residence. Dani lives inside and behaves well in the house. Dani has become a part of Officer Hankes family and plays well with kids.

The Canine Unit is available for group demonstrations upon request. The Canine Unit was formed through community donations and appreciates the opportunity to do demonstrations.

Donations may be mailed to:

Ripon Police Department
Attention: Canine Unit
100 E. Jackson Street
Ripon, WI. 54971

Questions may be directed to Officer Trevor Hanke at:
thanke@cityofripon.com