APD K-9 unit - Sgt Chris Gwaldo

When
28 Mar 2013
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
Location
Wells Fargo Bldg, 400 W 15th St, 3rd floor

Registration

Lion Member – $15.00
No Meal - Member on Non member
Walk-in Guest - 1st Visit
There is no fee charged for a guest visiting for the first time. Please present yourself as a guest at the registration table and we will gladly introduce you to the club.
Walk-in Guests – $15.00
Guests are charged a lunch fee of $15 for each visit after their first visit.

Austin Police Department

K-9 unit - Sgt Chris Gwaldo

introduction by Lion Terry Heller

The Austin Police Department Canine Unit was established in 1979 and its mission is to provide trained police canine teams to assist in the prevention and detection of crime, to locate persons sought by the police, to promote a favorable public image of the Department and to carry out other duties as may be directed by the Canine Sergeant or the Department.

This includes, but is not limited to the enforcement of all applicable laws to help insure the safety of the citizens within the City of Austin. The Patrol K9 Unit’s main responsibility is to support the backbone of APD – the Patrol Division.

Patrol K9 teams are assigned their own vehicles, which require the officers and dogs to remain together at all times. The officers also have kennels at their residences so they can care for their K9 partners while off duty.

When on duty, Patrol K9 teams remain in the City on patrol until they are called to assist patrol officers. Typically the K9 teams are used to locate suspects who have fled the scene of a crime, but on occasion are requested to search for missing individuals and evidence. Two of the K9 teams are also SWAT certified and deploy for all SWAT related incidents.

The Patrol K9 Unit is comprised of nine officer/dog teams and one supervisor, Sergeant Chris Gwaldo.

The K9 teams work varied shifts, enabling at least one dog to be of service in the City at all times. Officer Shaun Mierl is the Patrol K9 Unit trainer, responsible for training new dogs and handlers when they are selected for the Unit as well as maintenance training for the experienced teams. Officer Mierl has been with the Patrol K9 Unit for over 12 years. Aside from his training responsibilities, Officer Mierl also trains and works with his own K9 “Jake,” a three year old Belgian Malinois. All of the Patrol K9 teams are required to demonstrate proficiency every year at a national certification conducted by the NNDDA.

Speakers Bio: Sergeant Chris Gwaldo has been the supervisor over the Patrol K9 unit for 7 months, and has been a member of APD for 15 years. He has a varying work history with APD, to include Internal Affairs Division, Street Response (street crimes) and various patrol assignments throughout the City. Sergeant Gwaldo’s last assignment was with the day shift patrol division in the Downtown Area/Bicycle Patrol. Although Sergeant Gwaldo is not assigned a K9, he still has to understand the complex nature of what is expected of the Patrol K9 teams.”

Featured Lunch Menu: meat and vegetables dish (TBA); mixed field green salad with assorted rolls and a featured daily dessert. Vegetarian meal or Grilled Chicken Caesar salad are available alternatives as well.

Please register by noon on Wednesday.

We order meals based on your reservations and must pay for them even if you do not show up. Please keep this in mind if your plans shift and cancel your reservation so we can adjust the headcount.

@ The Austin Downtown Founder Lions Club