Austintown gets new four-legged officer

Conan will also be an
ambassador to the community.

By JEANNE STARMACK

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

AUSTINTOWN — He’s trained to be tough, but Conan is still no barbarian.

He’s so well-mannered and friendly that you might get to meet him even if you aren’t a criminal. That’s because the Austintown Police Department’s newest police dog will probably be mingling with the community in ways that his predecessor, Hurie, who retired in February, could not.

Hurie wasn’t as trustworthy, and Buck, the department’s other dog, isn’t as mellow. But when he isn’t tracking a suspect, searching a building or trying to find a stash of drugs inside a car, Conan might find himself hanging out in a classroom with children.

In the parking lot at the police station on Ohltown Road one afternoon last week, Conan’s handler, officer Justin Coulter, wasn’t the least bit worried that strangers were around. Conan leaned against them to be petted, like the family dog would.

His training

Coulter believes the dog’s training has a lot to do with why he’s more easygoing.

The 21⁄2-year-old German shepherd was trained at Shallow Creek Kennel in Sharpsville, Pa., with a newer method that focuses more on praise and rewards, said Coulter. The method is easier on the dog, he believes, than the old way of stern corrections for mistakes.

After the department picked Conan out at Shallow Creek, the kennel trained him for six weeks to develop his skills for bite techniques and drug searches.

Then Coulter, 30, who’s been on the township force for nine years, spent six weeks training with his new partner. The team learned how to handle vehicle and building searches, how to catch suspects and how to find an item in a field.

He said the partnership was the right fit from the start.

“When we met, it was perfect.”

Already a hit

The dog, who lives with Coulter, began his duties about a month ago.

“He’s found some drugs already and done some tracking already,” Coulter said.

At home, Conan is “hyper and fun,” Coulter said. There are two other dogs there, both Labs, to keep him company.

Conan had to go back to Shallow Creek Kennels for a little last month while Coulter, who got married May 26, went on his honeymoon.

Yes, his new wife, Angela, loves dogs.

Coulter was eagerly waiting to step into the role of dog handler after Sgt. Tom Collins, Hurie’s handler, stepped out. He competed for it against two other officers.

“It’s been my dream, my goal on this police department,” Coulter said.

The training, he said, was physically demanding, with a lot of running. But it was worth it.

“It’s fun — so much fun. It’s everything I hoped for,” he said.