Almost a year after Const. Casey Lea joined the Moose Jaw Police Service’s K-9 unit, he and his canine partner Mace have finally hit the streets searching for their first criminal.
Lea always enjoyed dogs growing up and admired the animals’ abilities and capabilities. So when he joined the police service four years ago, he set a goal of eventually joining the K-9 unit after being inspired by the handlers working with their four-legged partners.
In October 2020, a spot opened on the unit after an officer received a promotion. Lea immediately submitted his application.
“The opportunity came a little earlier than I thought,” he said.
The month-long application process included a physical test, an interview, skills training that included firearms use, general interest in dogs, and background animal knowledge.
Lea finally learned in November 2020 that he had been accepted. However, the constable’s excitement about joining the K-9 unit was tempered by the fact that he had to wait until June before attending training classes in Regina.
Lea didn’t start training with Mace, a two-and-a-half-year-old German Shephard. Instead, he started working with a dog named Zero. Unfortunately, after a month, that animal washed out because its tracking abilities were insufficient.
Lea was then given a temporary animal to train before he was connected to Mace for the final three months of training.
The first half of training occurred early in the mornings and focused on tracking and apprehending suspects — “Our bread and butter,” Lea says — and obedience. The second half of training occurred in the evenings, where the K-9 teams focused on searching buildings and further attention to tracking and apprehending suspects.
“It was a long, hot summer running through the fields and tracking with the dogs and learning, but it was rewarding,” he said.
It’s a good feeling to finally return to Moose Jaw and be able to make a difference, Lea continued. His goal is to be proactive with Mace and acquire experience in the community while attempting to prevent crime.
As partners, Mace will ride with Lea in his police cruiser all day while working. The canine officer will also live with his human handler and go everywhere on his days off.
“There’s a lot of upkeep with the dogs, obviously. They’re not just the family pet that lays on the floor, and that’s good enough for the day,” said Lea. “He’s super energetic and high drive, so you gotta always keep him busy and exercise and that type of thing. But I wouldn’t change it. It’s awesome.”
Mace is another tool in the police service’s toolbox to help prevent crime and bring criminals to justice, he continued. He considers himself lucky to be his canine partner’s handler.
Lea had only worked four shifts with Mace when he sat down to speak about this new appointment. He noted that the two of them had not done a full tour yet and had not even seen any action. However, they were both champing at the bit to make a difference in the City of Moose Jaw.
“I want the public to know how valuable these dogs are and that we’ll be out and about being proactive trying to stop some of this crime,” added Lea.
