Asa strengthens Findlay police's night patrol

FINDLAY — Findlay police say their newest K9, Asa, a black German Shepherd on night shift, doesn't just patrol the darkness with handler Officer Eric Lehman, he seems to disappear into it. Sleek and midnight-colored, Asa moves with a stealth that makes him nearly invisible in the dark. But stealth was not why he was chosen and he may not always work the night shift. It was his agility, drive and temperament that set him apart. Asa, the eighth K9 to serve the city, joined the department in recent months following the retirement of K9 Deke. The Findlay Police Department also utilizes K9 Axel, handled by Officer Paul Frey. All three dogs are "dual purpose," trained to locate narcotics, evidence and suspects and to use controlled biting techniques to assist officers with apprehensions. Findlay police command staff say the dogs give officers capabilities that human personnel alone cannot match. Imported from the Czech Republic as an untrained "green dog," Asa arrived in the U.S. with the name "Cappo" and little understanding of police work or English. Lehman said Asa was selected largely for his bloodline. Police dogs are bred for certain traits and abilities while also breeding out excessive aggression. Lehman was given four vetted dogs to choose from. Asa stood out. "He seemed like he wanted to work and he enjoyed bringing the ball back," Lehman said. He knew he wanted a high-drive dog on duty but one gentle enough to live safely at home with his family and pets. Once paired, the two attended a ten-week training program in Marysville with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, which uses a universal command system for its K9s. Because Asa didn't understand English at first, Lehman said the early days were challenging. "It took him a while to figure out what I was saying," he said. "Then figuring out how we could work together and not get frustrated was difficult because he didn't know anything. It's like teaching a kid to ride a bike or read. He didn't know anything." After only two months on patrol, the pair are finding their rhythm. Asa has already assisted in serious cases, including locating evidence during a recent call, a moment Lehman said proved their training is taking hold. Training for a police K9 is extensive and continues throughout the dog's career. Asa began by learning to follow footprints, rewarded with food for tracking correctly. Narcotics training followed a similar pattern. "He knew how to search for the ball," Lehman said. "We had to transition from the ball to the narcotic odor… Once he found the odor, we'd have to reward him with the ball. So he realized that 'I smell this, I get my toy.'" Now that Asa has mastered the core skills, Lehman is working on desensitization, exposing him to loud noises and distractions while he performs tasks to ensure he stays focused. Before any dog is cleared for street duty, they undergo rigorous testing to ensure they are safe, stable and effective. Dogs who aren't a good fit are reassigned to other roles and could end up being adopted out as a family pet. Lehman said the patrol training wasn't just about skills, it was also about bonding. When police describe the dogs as tools, Lehman said the relationship feels more like working with a colleague while also raising a child. "He understands that I'm trying to help him out," he said. "He's helping me out and we haven't had any issues with butting heads or not listening or getting overly aggressive. Some dogs will come after the handler if they are not getting what they want." Not Asa. Lehman said he was surprised by how quickly they became a team. "He's always on my hip," Lehman said. "He's been a lot easier than I thought." Handlers are selected from a pool of current Findlay officers who have demonstrated strong performance and sound judgement. Candidates are tested and interviewed before being appointed. Lehman, who has 11 years on the force, said he always wanted to be a handler. He likes to stay busy and the role certainly provides that. The work is demanding, he said, but deeply rewarding. "It's beneficial for me to show that what I put into it, it's becoming a better relationship," he said. "It's gratifying to see that he can find stuff that no one else can." After training, Lehman said it's more about trusting that Asa knows his job. Findlay command staff emphasize that officers are trained to utilize the least amount of force necessary to contain a situation. Sometimes, he added, Asa's presence alone is enough to persuade someone to comply with officers' commands. "If you hear a dog, you're like, 'that's going to hurt. I don't want to deal with that. I'd rather just come out peacefully,'" Lehman said. "If I can just verbally say that he's here and not have to utilize him, that would be the best outcome. It's still a win for us." When Asa is not training or working, he's a loyal companion with Lehman's family. The community response so far, Lehman said, has been overwhelming. "People have really liked him," he said, adding that he finds the public tends to appreciate Asa's company more than Lehman's. "People are willing to come up to him more than they are me."