Deployment impacts three HPD officers, 1 dog

The recent wave of military call-ups is claiming more than three officers with the Hannibal Police Department. Also being lost is the service provided by the HPD’s canine, Jury.
While Jury will be remaining in Hannibal, his handler - Sgt. Michael Routh - is heading to Afghanistan. No other HPD officer is trained to handle the dog, according to Chief Lyndell Davis.
“We have never practiced that (having multiple canine handlers) here at HPD since I’ve been here. I know some other departments do. We just never thought that was a very practical thing for us,” he said.
What will happen to Jury while Routh is away?
“Jury is going to stay with Mike’s family, like he does when Mike’s off duty or goes out of town,” explained Davis. “He’s just like any other dog, except he’s big and trained to be a warrior dog or work animal.”
The department will continue to pay for Jury’s food and any vet bills.
“He’s still one of ours. He’ll be our responsibility just like if Mike were here,” said Davis.
Davis does not anticipate it taking long for Routh and Jury to get back into the groove after Routh returns following a year overseas.
“Jury is an experienced animal. Mike is a very experienced handler. I would say in a couple of weeks he would be back in useful form that we could utilize if we needed to,” said Davis.
Depending on when Routh returns to duty, he may not have Jury riding shotgun.
“By the time Mike gets back, Jury will be probably close to retirement,” said Davis, noting that working dogs like Jury typically provide five to seven years of service. “This year I was preparing to select a new canine handler and start the process of purchasing a new canine. That’s a long drawn out process as well. We already included that in our new budget for 2009-10 budget year.”
Davis estimates that the cost of purchasing the animal, training it and its handler can range from $10,000 to $15,000.
It is likely that when Routh returns he will give up his handler duties after serving the department in that role for over a decade.
“Sgt. Routh has expressed that he would like to retire his duties as being the canine handler and focus more on just being the shift supervisor. I respect that and think it would be beneficial for the department. I think it’s time that we look at trying somebody new. Mike’s given us a lot of good years as a canine handler. I think he wants to explore other avenues of his career here at HPD,” said Davis, adding he has someone in mind for the handler duties.
With Jury out of service, the HPD will look to other departments to help meet the HPD’s canine needs when they arrive.
“It’s not as advantageous as having your own, but we’re not helpless either,” said Davis. “We don’t feel that vulnerable without one for now, but it is something that our own canine provides us with such useful service that we will be working very diligently to try to get one trained in the very near future.”