Police dog/handler leave department as team

You don’t usually hear about law enforcement agencies bargaining over K-9 units but there’s one in Vernon County. Vernon County K-9 Handler Brian James has resigned from the Sheriff’s Office. But James has accepted a position with the Sparta Police Department.

Since the dog was purchased through public donations, a decision had to be made to either keep K-9 Larz for his remaining years of service, and try to train another officer to be Larz’s Handler or, sell the dog to Sparta Police and let K-9 Larz go with Deputy James. After a long thought out discussion between several parties involved, it was decided to sell K-9 Larz to Sparta Police and let James continue to be Larz’s Handler.

The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit still has one other dog and handler. The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office will be seeking another K-9 and handler.