Deputy Cutler Peterson and K9 Miro Earn Their Paws

May 27, 2017

Deputy Cutler Petersen was officially welcomed into the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit on May 24th. In a ceremony attended by his family, he was awarded the coveted K-9 lapel pin.

K-9 handlers make up less than 1% of the Sheriff’s Office and Law Enforcement Officers in general. It is not an easy process. First they go through a multifaceted tryout process and if they make it through, they may have to wait months or even years for a chance to become a handler. Once the opportunity comes they go through a tough and grueling K-9 school that takes over 3 months to complete and graduation is not automatic. Many have tried, many have failed. It takes tenacity, blood, sweat, and tears to finish the school. It is a physically and mentally demanding course designed to make sure the K-9 handler and their dog are ready to make a successful street team. Since they are literally the tip of the spear, they cannot afford to be “sort of ready”; they need to be 100% ready to handle whatever may come their way.

Deputy Petersen and his partner K-9 Miro achieved this ready status by certifying under the standards set forth by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. They are a dual purpose team, meaning they are trained and certified in the disciplines of narcotics detection and K-9 patrol work, including locating hiding suspects, lost persons, evidence, and apprehension.

Being a K-9 handler takes the commitment of the entire family. The handler is responsible for their assigned K-9 24/7. K-9 handlers will literally spend more time with their K-9 partner than any member of their family. The K-9 goes home with the handler and requires care even on days off. It is truly a tasking the whole family needs to understand and accept.

The danger of the job is very real. K-9 handlers are responsible for locating the very worst of the criminal population doing everything in their power to avoid capture. The K-9 team will go places others fear to tread. It is just part of the job. These brave handlers and their K-9 partner will know firsthand the lengths people will go to escape, but will without hesitation put themselves between these people and the community they are sworn to protect. They are an essential part of the Sheriff’s Office. That is why earning your K-9 badge is such a big deal! Congratulations to Deputy Cutler Petersen and K-9 Miro