Meet the Officers and their K-9 Partners (cont'd)

Officer Nash and Bingo
Officer Jim Nash joined the SPPD in 1993 and became a member of the K-9 Unit in 1997. Nash's current partner, Bingo, is a Sable German Shepherd imported from the Czech Republic. He is a Patrol K-9 cross-trained in narcotics detection and also works with the department's Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT). He has been working since 2002. Bingo was born in 2000 and was purchased with funds donated to the St. Paul Police K-9 Foundation. When not working Bingo lives at home with Officer Nash.

Officer Pavlak and Chico
"Hi there Amigo, my name is Chico. I bark very loud, because I am so proud of all the bad guys I catch! I am originally from Bulgaria - but don't let that scare ya. If I get to smell ya, I'm a pretty nice fella. I was brought to this great nation by the St Paul K-9 Foundation. Now I use my paws and jaws to help enforce the laws."



Officer Rasmussen and Chase
Officer Nicole Rasmussen and her partner Chase began working together in 2007. Chase is a German Shepherd Dog. He was born in 2005 in Slovakia and then imported into the U.S. Chase is trained in tracking, building searches, apprehension, evidence recovery and explosion detection. He loves to go to work and chase bad guys! When not at work, Chase enjoys playing in his backyard and swimming. Chase was purchased with funds donated to the St. Paul Police K-9 foundation by a St. Paul family.

Officer Renterria and Lance
Officer Pete Renterria has been a St. Paul Police Officer since October 1996. He has been a K-9 Handler since March of 2001. Lance is an imported German Shepherd from Europe. He was purchased and donated to our department by the St. Paul Police K-9 Foundation. When off duty, Lance stays at home with Officer Renterria's family and loves to chase his favorite toy around the yard.


Officer Rinehart and Sarik
Officer Issac Rinehart has been a Police Officer in St. Paul since 1994. He joined the K-9 Unit in the spring of 2007. Sarik is a German Shepherd and was imported from Slovakia. He was purchased by the St. Paul Police K-9 Foundation. Sarik is trained as a tool to locate individuals who have committed serious crimes. Sarik is also trained to do area searches, building searches and tracking. When not working, Sarik lives at home with Officer Rinehart and his family.

Officer Ryan and Ranger
Officer Jeremy Ryan has been a Police Officer since 1998. He grew up on St. Paul's East side and went to Harding High and graduated from St. Cloud State University. Ranger was an imported German Shepherd from Holland. He was purchased with funds donated to the St. Paul Police Canine Foundation. He was trained in tracking, evidence recovery, building searches, criminal apprehension and narcotics detection. Sadly, Ranger passed away in March 2009 due to health-related complications.  Visit the In Memoriam page to learn more and find out how to donate to the K9 Foundation.


Officer Sherwood and Benji
Officer Jon Sherwood has been a St. Paul Police Officer since 1986 and is a member of the Canine Unit's Training Staff. Benji is a German Shepherd. He is a patrol dog and is cross-trained in Narcotics Detection. He was purchased by the St. Paul Police K-9 Foundation with funds donated by the Milk-Bone and Cub foods. When not working, Benji lives at home with Officer Sherwood and his daughter Emily. 


Officer Thompson and Harley
Officer Jay Thompson has been a police officer since 1987. He joined the K-9 Unit in the spring of 2001. Harley is a black and tan German Shepherd and was donated to the department by a family in Mendota Heights, MN. Besides being trained to find the 'bad guys', Harley is also trained to find drugs. He weighs about 80 lbs and placed #1 in his rookie year at the Region 18 K-9 trials in Wilmar, MN. Harley and his partner Jay also received the Medal of Valor in the fall of 2003 for apprehending a sword wielding suspect on September 2nd, 2003.

Officer Vetsch and Charlie
Officer Robert Vetsch has been working as a peace officer since 1994. He has been a proud member of the St. Paul Police Department since 1997. A goal of switching to the St. Paul Police Department was to someday have an opportunity to become a member of the distinguished St. Paul Police K-9 Unit. K-9 Charlie was born in the Slovak Republic in December of 2005. He arrived in the USA approximately one year later to begin training. He is an energetic K-9 who truly enjoys going to work and playing with his reward toys.

Sergeant Dunnom and Sue
Sue is a Belgian Malinois whose single purpose is explosives detection K-9. Sue is the only Belgian Malinois and the only female K-9 used by the St Paul Police K-9 Unit. Sue loves to play fetch with anything you throw, but her favorite toy is a bowling pin.