Bayfield County Officials Consider K-9 Unit for Sheriff's Office

Members of the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office, Bayfield County Board and Cable Area Chamber of Commerce met with Sawyer County Sheriff Deputy Nick Al-Moghrabi and German Shepard K-9 “Trace” in Cable on Wednesday, April 18th to discuss utilization of a K-9 unit for Bayfield County and see a demonstration of Trace’s K-9 skills. Sawyer County Sheriff Department currently has two K-9 units.

Bayfield County board supervisor Brett Rondeau recommended the county research adding a K-9 unit and arranged for the demonstration. Rondeau feels it would be a wise investment for the county.

“Unfortunately, there is a drug epidemic in Northern Wisconsin. Our law enforcement does an amazing job and I believe we need to provide them with the tools necessary to continue doing that job” said Rondeau.

Officer Al-Moghrabi presented the one-time costs related to acquiring a K-9, as well as on-going operational costs. K9 Officer Trace demonstrated his ability to locate narcotics and assist with investigations and apprehensions.  

Bayfield County Sheriff, Paul Susienka was encouraged by the discussion. “The addition of a K9 program to the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office would be a highly useful asset. Illicit drugs and violent offenders are a threat to any community. We see examples of both too frequently”, reported Susienka. “It is our constant goal to better serve our public and keep our communities safe’, he concluded.

Cable Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director James Bolen added that having the opportunity to have a Sawyer County K-9 unit in Cable to demonstrate to their members of the County board and Bayfield County Sheriff's Office the skills of the K-9 officer was an impressive display. 

"Illicit drugs destroy lives and endanger communities," said Bolen. "By being one of the only counties around without a K-9 we unwittingly encourage drugs to flow through our county. I was glad Brett Rondeau chose to have the demonstration at our offices and we fully support the proposal to add a K-9 unit to the Bayfield County Sheriff's Office."

Rondeau will ask the Bayfield County Executive Committee to explore this issue further in the very near future.