POTTSTOWN>> Pottstown residents got a first-hand look at K-9 police work during a special demonstration.
Officer Jeffrey Portock and his K-9 partner, Taz, took some time out of their day Friday to show the community just how well their partnership works for the force.
After a brief introduction following lunch, Portock introduced Taz to the large group gathered under the pavilion at Memorial Park. Using hand signals and German commands, Portock demonstrated some of the skills Taz has acquired through his rigorous police training.
“It always amazes me to see how well trained these dogs are,” said Eileen from Lower Pottsgrove. “There’s a lot of time invested in training these dogs. He gave the dog a command as he was running and told him to stop. Before he got to whatever he was after he stopped right on the dime.”
Portock and Taz demonstrated commands for running, sitting, crawling and even walking between the officer’s legs.
“We’re not doing it today but everyone likes to see the dog bite the guy in the suit. That’s what everyone gets excited about” said Portock of one of the crowd favorites in his demonstrations. “But I think a lot of people are amazed at the obedience and how well the dog listens to a handler.”
The Pottstown Police Department does several K-9 demonstrations throughout the year for the community. The department was asked to do Friday’s by the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department, who were serving free lunch to community members under the pavilion.
“We just wanted to get the kids more familiar with the dogs and the police,” said Regina Astheimer, supervisor for the Memorial Park Pavilion portion of the Parks and Recreation Summer Food Program. “With all the stuff happening all over we wanted to let them know that police are the good guys and that they have to follow the rules and respect it. And if we teach them that at a young age, we’ll have no problem in adulthood.”
As the demonstration concluded, Taz was returned to the police vehicle and Portock answered questions from those in attendance.
“I like seeing how the kids react to how obedient the dog is or when the dog bites the suspect. They always get excited about that and it’s always fun,” said Portock.
Taz is a 5-year-old German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois Mix certified in patrol, tracking and explosives. Taz began formal training in April 2012 and was certified in 10 weeks under the North American Police Work Dog Association. K-9 Taz and Officer Portock have completed courses including Canine Tactical Operations, Street Worthy K-9, under trainer Dick Van Leenan, and a level 1 SWAT Basic K-9 Tactical Course.
Portock and Taz have also served on the Chester Montgomery Emergency Response Team since 2012.
