After nine years of sustaining dog bites as an "agitator and decoy," Larimer County Sheriff's deputy Kevin Kingston is preparing to take to the streets with his new partner: a German shepherd named Oso.
The police dog is under training to track down criminals and sniff out drugs among other tasks with the sheriff's office K9 Unit.
"It's different being on the other side of it. It's very rewarding, but it's very challenging - because the dogs humble you," Kingston said.
One of three handlers at the sheriff's office, Kingston said he passed a number of tests before getting promoted. He was previously one of four to five "agitators" who would work in training for the unit in addition to their regular patrol or jail work.
Taking a bite now and then has become part of the job, and Kingston has been bitten in the hands, arms, legs and side - sometimes needing stitches.
"Every one of us has taken a live bite, through our mistake or training," he said.
The dogs are trained constantly, with about 16 hours per month dedicated specifically to demonstrations and training. They practice clearing rooms, responding to burglary calls and high-risk vehicle stops, among other possible incidents.
"What our dogs do - they bite and hold. They don't thrash," he said, adding that the suspect is held in place until handcuffs are fastened.
Although Kingston said he's "absolutely loved" working with the canines, the handlers face elevated dangers.
"Handlers are 75 percent more susceptible than any officer to being killed in the line of duty," he said.
A handler must keep focused on the dog when pursuing a potentially armed suspect, and other officers are relied upon to provide cover and watch the handler's back.
Kingston said none of the sheriff's office handlers has been hurt "severely" in the line of duty, and that agitators are often the ones accompanying handlers on such calls.
Oso is 18 months old and came from Holland; he understands both Dutch and English, Kingston said.
Sheriff's office spokesman John Schulz said the K9 Unit has been part of the agency since 1979, and Oso cost $7,000.
The dog was selected among nine after Kingston and other handlers tested each of them in Pennsylvania. The dogs are tested on prey drive, strength and how well they bite, among other criteria.
Before returning to Pennsylvania for training in the coming weeks, Kingston said he and Oso are bonding - with Kingston as the alpha male. By the end of August, the K9 Unit will be back to three canines, he said.
Kingston has been a law officer for 14 years and said he's looking forward to "making the team better."
"I've got myself a great partner with me right now," he said, "and I know we'll do very well for many years."
