INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Police Indianapolis District recently welcomed K9 Maverick and K9 Apache to the ranks. Four-year veteran Trooper Susan Rinschler has paired with K9 Maverick and three-and-a-half year veteran Trooper Walter Butt teamed with K9 Apache after an intense 12 week training and certification course with a graduation ceremony at the Indiana State Police Museum. The two new K9 teams will be used for patrol and are available to assist other officers throughout the district, Hamilton, Boone, Hendricks, Johnson, Shelby, Hancock and Marion Counties.
A police K9 substantially enhances officer and public safety, and are often used in potentially life threatening situations. The primary function of an Indiana State Police K9 is narcotics detection, tracking and apprehension of criminal suspects, building searches, locating evidence and can even assist with finding missing people. The K9 handlers spend a significant amount of time training with and caring for their partner on and off duty, a partnership that typically lasts 8-10 years. Trooper Butt and Trooper Rinschler will spend much of their patrol time on the afternoon shift in Marion County, but are available to be called out 24 hours a day if needed.
