Each team is comprised of an officer and trained dog who respond to a multitude of circumstances. The dogs and officers go through a long training process together, and the department only utilizes “positive” training methods, often using toys as the incentive.
Three of the teams are trained to conduct patrol functions such as search for lost people, detect narcotics and assist in suspect apprehension. They are important tools in crime suppression and are on-call together 24 hours a day.
The other three K-9 teams are trained in explosives detection and do much of their work at the Portland Jetport. These three teams also assist by attending all major events within the city of Portland, conducting security sweeps. Training is an important part of this specialty.
The relationship between the handlers and their K-9 partners is unparalleled in law enforcement. Both the handler and the K-9 train rigorously to prepare for the inherent dangers of the job. Through this training, the officer and the K9 build a very unique and special bond.
Matt has been a member of the Portland Police Department since 2008. During that time, he worked as a Field Training Officer, training new officers who just graduated the academy, and was a member of the Command Truck Team.
Messi joined the Portland Police Department as Matt's partner in August of 2018. He is a 19 month old Belgian Malinois from Slovakia.
Matt and Messi work together on the evening shift, in the Deering neighborhood of Portland. Messi is trained for patrol and assists in the search for lost people, narcotic detection and suspect apprehension.
Michelle joined the Portland Police Department in 1998. Michelle joined the K9 Unit in 2001, with her partner Karla. Throughout her time at Portland PD, she has worked with several K9 partners, both in a patrol and explosive detection capacity.
Barni is a 3 year old, German short-haired pointer. He is an explosive detection K9. Barni is assigned to Michelle through the Department of Homeland Security.
Michelle and Barni work the day shift, covering the Deering neighborhood of Portland.
Dave joined the Portland Police Department in 2016. During his time, he has worked various shifts and participated in the Holiday Footbeat.
Johnsey is a 2 year old German Shepherd. He is currently undergoing dual purpose narcotic and patrol K9 training.
Certified through the U.S.P.C.A. for all functions of a patrol K-9.
Former Portland Police K9 Kaine (who would have turned 12 years old in January) passed away on Friday 10.08.2021 after a brief illness. K9 Kaine served the citizens of Portland from 2010 to 2018 working alongside Portland Police Officer Michelle Cole. K9 Kaine's skills as a patrol and narcotics detection dog were called upon hundreds of times over his 7.5-year career. K9 Kaine was assigned to Officer Cole in 2010 and lived out his life after police work with the Cole family. The bond between police dog and officer is known to few and Officer Cole and K9 Kaine lived that bond.
The entire Portland Police Department extends a thank you to the staff at the North Deering Veterinary Hospital who treated K9 Kaine throughout his career and on Friday morning.
Their kindness and compassion was helpful to all of us.
The Portland Police Department is sad to report the passing of K-9 Trixie. K-9 Trixie worked throughout the City of Portland and beyond. K-9 Trixie provided protection to the citizens of Portland at the Portland International Jetport and worked out of town details for former Presidents Bush and Clinton. In 2015, K-9 Trixie was specially assigned to a detail to protect Pope Francis on his North American papal visit. K-9 Trixie could be called upon to help search items that could do harm to large groups of people.
K-9 Trixie worked ten years following the completion of an intensive training course. K-9 Trixie retired in February of this year and was stricken with cancer in October of this year. In retirement, K-9 Trixie lived with her handler, Officer Thomas Reagan and his wife and two daughters. Officer Reagan and K-9 Trixie had that unspeakable bond that exists between handlers and their K-9 partners. K-9 Trixie will be missed by all.
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