[May 09, 2009]

The fuzzier side of justice: Summit, Tuscarawas sheriff's deputies show off animals, bomb squad robot to fourth-graders

May 09, 2009 (The Akron Beacon Journal - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The fourth-graders stood outside Akron's Resnik elementary school Friday oohing and awing at their visitors.

The center of attention was not a star athlete or a famous person. It was furry Summit County sheriff's deputy dogs and horses.

Like a three-ring circus, there was something fun for the kids to watch in each of three areas.

The students watched a trotting horse from the Summit County Mounted Auxiliary unit; police dogs responding to the commands of their handlers; and even a robot used by the county's bomb squad unit.

The $88,000 robot is made out of 440 pounds of stainless steel and runs off batteries.

"It runs on a cord 100 meters long. The cord allows us to keep our distance from whatever we think is bad," said Deputy Joseph Ohls, who with the other deputies, volunteered his time at the school. Ohls' wife, Kluuni, teaches fourth grade there.

"The robot's job is to pick things up and take them to a safe place to keep you guys safe," Deputy Ohls told the children. "Bomb technicians operate it, using a joystick." Deputy Michael Angeloff was suited up in an 80-pound-bomb suit that is used for protection. It has a control panel on its sleeve to regulate ventilation and lighting.

The students had a chance to touch the padded suit.

Meanwhile, students checking out the horse learned they could determine its age by the length of its teeth, according to Deputy Roger Vaughan.

Vaughan and his wife, Jessica, who is also a deputy and a member of the Mounted Auxiliary, demonstrated how to use the reins to maneuver a horse.

Deputy Mike Jones said his dog Boomer was more of a ham. The English labrador retriever answered every command and performed tricks.

"Can he roll over" asked Celina Saliba, a student.

Deputy Jones gave the order. And Boomer complied.

Jones said it takes 10 to 12 weeks to train a dog.

He showed the kids Boomer's badge.

"He wears a badge because he's a county employee just like me," Jones said. "He works 40 hours a week; he just doesn't get paid." Jones said Boomer lives with him.

"Boomer works motorcades when dignitaries come to town to help make sure everyone is safe," Jones said. "When he detects something, he doesn't paw at it or scratch it because it could be dangerous, like an explosive. He sits down near it and looks at me for the next command." Then there was Bucky, an American labrador who still has a lot of puppy in him at just 15 months old.

Deputy Kate Thompson, of Tuscarawas County, is training with Jones. She said her dog is only halfway through school and hasn't learned any tricks yet.

"Both dogs are playful, and that's a good sign," Jones said. "When they can socialize, we don't worry about them nipping at anybody during any type of crowd control situation." At other times, when silence is important, Jones said, the trainers use hand commands.

The students particularly enjoyed Boomer's final trick.

Jones asked Boomer to give him a high 5. He complied.

"Awesome!" the students said in unison.

Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.

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