ABOVE: Deputy Luis Figueroa and new K9, Bruno, of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office. Figueroa and Bruno just completed their first week of a 12-week training program.

FAIRMONT– The Martin County Sheriff’s Office is working toward establishing a new K9 unit. Deputy Luis Figueroa started training with Bruno, a 13-month-old Belgian Malinois, at McDonough K9 in the Twin Cities earlier this week.

The Martin County Commissioners approved of the request from the Sheriff’s Office in December of 2022. At that time Chief Deputy Corey Klanderud shared that startup costs would be about $19,025, which would be covered by the Sheriff’s Office budget.

However, Klanderud said that startup costs came in to be about two-thirds less than what was originally expected. The Sheriff’s Office was also able to secure a grant worth $7,500 from the United States Police Canine Association through AKC Reunite.

As for why the Sheriff’s Office wanted to start a K9 unit, Klanderud said, “in Martin County, until we get this one trained, there is no K9 option for us.”

It’s been two years since there’s been a K9 in Martin County. Previously the Fairmont Police Department had one but the Sheriff’s Office has never had one on staff and Klanderud said they figured it was their turn.

“We’ve been relying on surrounding counties and the state patrol to borrow their K9s when we can but it’s not always available when we need it. It’s another tool we’re trying to have more accessible in our area,” said Klanderud.

Faribault County, Watonwan County, Jackson County and a state trooper in Martin County all have a K9 unit which the county has been able to use from time to time.

As the dog’s handler, Figueroa and Bruno will attend training together five days a week for 12 weeks. The two will always work together so when Figueroa is scheduled to work, so is Bruno. While it’s a big commitment, the addition of a K9 unit was something that Figueroa felt was needed.

“I always saw myself having to call a K9 unit to my location to conduct a sniff on a vehicle for narcotics and after so many calls, I got to thinking, ‘when was the last time we had a K9, if ever?” Figueroa said.

He started doing some research as well as compiling information on the county’s narcotics contact in the last year. He also considered the times the Sheriff’s Office has called other agencies for a K9 and found that they were all occupied.

“I started talking to Corey (Klanderud) and presented it to him and he was very supportive,” Figueroa said.

For the first week of training, Figueroa said they focused a lot on obedience. Since Bruno came from the Czech Republic and was originally trained in Czech, he needs to learn the basic commands of sit, stay and come in the English language.

After a few weeks of obedience training, they’ll transition to narcotic work and tracking. Ultimately Bruno will be trained to sniff out narcotics, though not marijuana due to the ever-changing laws. He will also be trained to trace missing persons or objects. He will not be an apprehension dog.

Figueroa said that they didn’t see apprehension as a true need in the county. However, he said the Sheriff’s Office believes one of the biggest things affecting the county is narcotics.

“They continue to grow in numbers and if this can help us fight narcotics in the county that will be one big step forward,” Figueroa said.

He said that the schools request K9s at times to run a sniff throughout the school so Bruno could also be used there.

“I think tracking is important to have in case we have anyone from one of our nursing homes walk off or a kid gets lost or runs off. We can try to trail their scent,” Figueroa said.

While they’re just one week into training, Figueroa said that Bruno is catching on to a lot of the training very quickly and is able to conduct exercises efficiently.

As for Bruno’s personality, Figueroa said he is very energetic, happy and ready to work. He enjoys his red Kong toy, playing fetch and spinning in circles.

“He likes to show off,” Figueroa said with a laugh.

Once the 12 weeks of training is complete, Figueroa and Bruno will need to be certified with either the United States Police Canine Association or the National Police Canine Association. Once the certification is obtained, 16 hours of training each month is required. The certification also needs to be renewed annually.

Figueroa said a K9 typically works with a unit anywhere from seven to nine years, as long as it remains safe and healthy.

He extended thanks to the Sheriff and the board of commissioners for allowing the Sheriff’s Office to have this opportunity.

“We are very excited to get this training complete and get on the road. We’re looking forward to assisting any surrounding departments that need our help and to make the community safer,” Figueroa said.