OFFICER-DOG TEAM GARNERS 2 TOP PRIZES FIRST TIME OUT.Byline: Enrique Rivero Daily News Staff Writer Officer Mark Rendahl and Cero met only six months ago, yet the bond forged so far is so strong the Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. Police Department's K-9 team is wowing judges at competitions. At only their first competition, the dynamic duo
Dynamic Duo (다이나믹 듀오) is a Korean hip hop duo, made up of members Choiza and Gaeko (former members of the trio, CBMass). copped two of the top prizes at the Police Canine Competition in Yuma, Ariz., last week - a first in Handler A software routine that performs a particular task. It often refers to a routine that "handles" an exception of some kind, such as an error, but it can refer to mainstream processes as well. The term is typically used in operating systems and other system software. Protection and a third in Obedience. And this was out of a pool of 40 other dogs that had plenty of competitive experience under their belts - er, collars. Rendahl, who started patrolling with the Simi police's K-9 unit only in January, is one proud master. ``I knew through all the training and preparation that he was ready, but for him to place that high in both events was unexpected.'' said Rendahl. ``For him to do that really made me happy because he was competing against other experienced dogs.'' Rendahl, a nine-year veteran on the force, had been trying to get onto the K-9 unit for several years, applying several times before Chief Randy Adams selected him for one of the city's four teams. Rendahl, 33, and Cero have been assigned the graveyard shift graveyard shift n. 1. A work shift that runs during the early morning hours, as from midnight to 8 a.m. 2. The workers on such a shift. Noun 1. . Adams said the officer's perseverance finally got him appointed. ``It was the ongoing motivation that made him the right person for the job and he's got a tremendous amount of enthusiasm he's devoted to the program.'' So much so, in fact, that Rendahl attended the competition in Yuma on March 8 and 9 on his own time and money. ``We really weren't underwriting this event,'' Adams said. ``He just went on his own anyway because he wanted to give Cero some experience in competition and, lo and behold be·hold v. be·held , be·hold·ing, be·holds v.tr. 1. a. To perceive by the visual faculty; see: beheld a tiny figure in the distance. b. , he wins.'' Always a ``dog person,'' Rendahl had participated in many K-9 training sessions - playing the bad guy so the dogs could practice their biting skills and the like - for many years before finally getting the spot on the Simi dog unit. ``It was all strictly on my own time,'' he said. ``It just fascinates me how the dogs work. Now I'm in a position to be a tool for the officers - to me, they're one of the greatest tools we have on the street. ``Plus I'm a dog lover - what a neat way to get paid, working with dogs,'' he added. Cero, born in the Czech Republic Czech Republic, Czech Česká Republika (2005 est. pop. 10,241,000), republic, 29,677 sq mi (78,864 sq km), central Europe. It is bordered by Slovakia on the east, Austria on the south, Germany on the west, and Poland on the north. , came to Rendahl in November and the two hit the streets in January. In that time the pair have successfully tracked suspects and sniffed out narcotics narcotics n. 1) techinically, drugs which dull the senses. 2) a popular generic term for drugs which cannot be legally possessed, sold, or transported except for medicinal uses for which a physician or dentist's prescription is required. . During off hours Rendahl spends 10 to 20 hours a week working with the German shepherd German shepherd, breed of large, muscular working dog perfected in Germany at the turn of the 20th cent. It stands about 25 in. (64 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 60 to 85 lb (27.2–38.5 kg). . The Yuma competition called on dog and master to demonstrate the utmost control in stressful situations, such as chasing and biting an officer playing a suspect, remaining calm while guns were blazing, and responding to Rendahl with the fewest number of commands. The pair will next compete in Visalia on April 11 and 12. In the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile , Rendahl couldn't be prouder of Cero's achievement. ``It gives me a lot more confidence and a lot more pride - I don't think I can have more pride in him than I have.'' CAPTION(S): 2 Photos Photo: (1--color) Simi Valley police Officer Mark Rendahl met canine Cero only six months ago. (2) Officer Mark Rendahl says of Cero, ``I knew . . . that he was ready.'' Bob Halvorsen/Daily News |
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