GENEVA – The youngest participant in the Geneva Area Safety Forces’ Safety Town this year wasn’t a child.
He was a dog.
The City of Geneva Police Department’s new K-9 officer, Riot, a two-year old German Shepherd, was introduced to the children at Safety Town July 15 at Geneva Middle School.
“You can ooh and aah because he is gorgeous,” Spencer Gale, the School Resource Officer in the Geneva Area City School District and co-organizer of Safety Town, told the kids.
The children all applauded Riot as he was brought out of the police vehicle by his handler, Officer Mike Smith.
“He goes home with him every night, and goes with him to work every day,” Gale said.
On May 21, Smith and Riot graduated from K-9 school, and became certified through the state. Since then, Riot has been on duty and doing a fantastic job, Smith said.
Geneva Police Chief John Camper said Officer Smith and K9 Riot were trained locally by Northeast Patrol Dogs at a cost of $9,800. Their state certification includes tracking, article search and drug detection, he said.
Smith noted that Riot has been assigned to night shift with him and is doing patrol work in Geneva.
“For being a brand new puppy, he’s doing great,” Smith said. “I’m a first-time handler myself, and I’m learning day-by-day.”
The City of Geneva stated in a Facebook post that Riot has successfully been used on multiple occasions since starting work. These have included free air sniffs that have led to narcotics arrests.
On July 3, the Ohio State Highway Patrol requested Riot. His help proved crucial.
“They just recently assisted Ohio State Highway Patrol with locating a suspect who had fled from a traffic stop and was located hiding in a field,” Chief Camper said of the incident. “I am very excited to see what the future holds for the K9 program.”
Together, Smith and Riot train constantly in Ashtabula with the main trainer.
Riot, who weighs about 90 pounds, has a lot of get-up and go, according to Smith.
“He’s high-energy, high-drive,” Smith said. “He’s very toy-driven. He loves his Kong (toy). He’s a good boy. He’s become one of my best buddies. He’s always by me. He’s my shadow. He doesn’t leave my side.”
Smith said Riot, who he described as a “gentle giant,” has been a great addition to the police department, boosting morale. He’s received a positive reaction in the community.
“They love him,” he said. “They really pushed for the K-9 unit. The community really supports him. Every time I bring Riot around, they always want to see him. They’re very vocal about him, and they love having Riot.”
Smith has taken a real liking to the dog as well.
“I love working with him, and I couldn’t see myself doing any other position here in the Geneva City PD other than the K-9 unit.”
As Riot becomes more acclimated, he will be brought out to more community events, Smith said.
Many in the community have made donations to make the K9 unit possible. According to Chief Camper, the donations are: VFW $2,300, FOE $2,000, State FOE $6,000, Giant Eagle (Dog Food): ongoing, Geneva Veterinary Hospital: ongoing; and Brady’s K9 Fund (Bradenton FL) (K9 Vest).
In addition, Camper said a private donor gave $300.
