Crime & Safety

Royal Oak Adds New Officers and Police Dog to Force

Ryker, an 18-month-old Dutch Shepherd dog, has already been put to work, according to the police chief.

Police Chief Corrigan O'Donohue announced the newest members of his team to Royal Oak City Commissioners on Monday night, including the police department's youngest member, an 18-month-old male Dutch Shepherd dog.

Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, Ryker, greeted city officials with a tennis ball in his mouth. Partnered with Officer Richard Chipman, the pair competed a six-week training course in Denver, IN, finishing at the top of their class, according to the chief.

When Ryker is not hard at work tracking, drug-sniffing, and helping with apprehension control, he stays with Chipman, who describes his 70-pound partner as having a lot of energy and drive.

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Give that dog a bone!

In fact, on the K-9 team's first night out on patrol, ROPD officers came across two suspicious men who when approached fled through neighborhood yards.

"The officers were quickly able to grab one suspect, but couldn't locate the second one," O'Donohue said. "The officers called for Chipman and Ryker and the K-9 team conducted an area search. Ryker located the subject hiding in a doghouse, if you can believe it."

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The man pulled from the doghouse was recognized as someone the Detroit Homicide unit wanted for questioning, O'Donohue said.

"It's very likely that these subjects were about to do a home invasion. All the officers on midnight shift did a great job that night."

Royal Oak gets new police officers 

The chief also introduced Eric Cherry, Josh Yancho, Brian Kucel, Jerry Karr, Andre Stienke and Mike Parmo. All the officers have several years of experience and came highly recommended, according to O'Donohue.

"I am very pleased with their progress and I am convinced they are going to serve the City of Royal Oak well," O'Donohue said. 

Mayor Jim Ellison welcomed the new ROPD officers to the city.

"It feels really good to have new police officers," Ellison said. "It's been a while since we have been able to do that."

O'Donohue also recognized Deputy Chief Tom Goad and Lt. William Sawyer. Both men were promoted on Monday.

And, a new high-technology patrol car was parked in front of City Hall with five more to come from Royal Oak Ford.

RELATED:

  • Royal Oak's K-9 Charlie Retires After 49 Years of Service (In Dog Years)


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