Past K9 Teams
The East Moline Police Department started its modern day K9 program in 1968 with Officer Nielsen and K9 Duke. It was the 2nd canine program in the area, preceded by the Silvis Police Department. Other departments added K9 programs in the mid 1970s. The East Moline Police Department previously had a police service dog around 1925. Modern day canine programs require extensive training and have evolved dramatically.
The 1st canines were used for tracking perpetrators, locating missing persons, protection and deterrence. Early canines were not narcotic detection trained as today's full service dogs. East Moline Police's 1st canine was trained in Moline, Kansas and certified by a canine trainer who established the Wichita Police canine program. Today's service dogs receive certification at the Illinois State Police and are certified through the National Police Canine Association. Additionally today's canines have Narcotics Detection Certifications.
The East Moline Police Department did not have an active K9 from 1972 to 1993 when Officer Roselieb is credited with reviving the K9 program and Gero subsequently joined the department and began service in 1993. The department has had a canine in service almost continuously for the past 15 years. This ended in March 2014 with the retirement of K9 Ivan.
In 2016, Chief John Reynolds reinstated the canine program and purchased another German Shepherd full service dog. Ofc. David Rummery was appointed as the canine handler and attended the Illinois State Police K9 academy.
K9 Officer Alex Strandgard
Canine King
Circa 1925