SOUTH PORTLAND – A member of the South Portland Police Department for the past five years, Officer Shane Stephenson and his dog Zak, a sable German Shepherd from Slovakia, are the newest members of the city’s K-9 Unit.

Stephenson and Zak recently graduated from the K-9 Patrol School – a 14-week program that certifies the team in tracking, evidence recovery, building searches and suspect apprehension – and are now ready to work together.

The duo joins Officer Kevin Webster and his K-9 Sabre as well as Officer Kevin Theriault and his K-9 Trigger. And, this fall, Stephenson and Zak will also attend drug school to make them a dual-purpose team, according to a press release from the police department.

In addition to Zak, the Stephenson household also includes, Sultan, a retired K-9 from the Yarmouth Police Department, and a chocolate lab, who provides companionship for Sultan when Zak goes to work.

“I spend a good portion of my pay on dog food, but it’s worth it,” Stephenson said this week.

Unlike most other police officers, he did not earn his undergraduate degree in criminal justice or a similar program. Instead, Stephenson has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Southern Maine.

This week Stephenson spoke with the Current about why he wanted to join the K-9 Unit and what the training was like.

Q: Why did you want to become a K-9 officer?

A: I have always been attracted to law enforcement and from an early age I knew I wanted to be a K-9 handler. Having hunting dogs growing up built my passion for working dogs. I continue to be amazed with working dogs in action today. A dog is a living, breathing thing that I find way more amazing than any piece of technology.

Q: Can you describe the training you received for your new position?

A: Zak and I just completed 14 weeks of a school run by the Maine State Police. At the end of the school I passed a K-9 certification that tests the abilities of both the dog and the handler. Zak and I are patrol certified, which includes obedience, agility, article searches, building searches, tracking, officer protection and suspect apprehension. In all, we received more than 500 hours of training.

Q: Can you describe your relationship with Zak, as well as his personality?

A: Zak is my large lap dog at home and he’s my partner at work. I spend more time with him than I do with my family and friends. Zak does not like to be separated from me and I can say the feeling is mutual.

Zak is a very energetic and super playful dog. He shakes with excitement when it’s time to play ball. During K-9 school Zak was quickly known as the most talkative dog in the group – he always has something to say. He even tried being the center of attention at K-9 graduation.

When Zak is having down time, he rests on my shoulder or leans against me so he knows immediately when I am about to move. I couldn’t ask for a better, high-energy partner.

Q: What have you most enjoyed so far about becoming a K-9 officer?

A: The best part about being a part of the K-9 Unit has been learning more about dogs, along with the people who love working with them. Training is ongoing with our dogs, and the other K-9 officers I have met all have a passion for the job. They are an awesome group of officers who love their partners to no end.

Q: Has anything surprised you about this new position?

A: I am very surprised with how much support K-9s get from the public. For instance, the local veterinarian’s office is always making sure our dogs are fit for duty and has donated a lot of its time keeping our dogs healthy.

In addition, companies like Vested Interest help pay for ballistic and stab proof vests for the K-9s. In fact, Vested Interest just recently received $300,000 from people all across the country that want to support K-9s.

In all, getting my partner Zak is the best thing that has happened to me in this job and it’s extremely uplifting to see how so many people care about what these K-9s do.

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A CLOSER LOOK

The South Portland Police Department is always looking for places to train with its K-9 Unit, so anyone who knows of places that are available should let the police department know by sending a message on Facebook, sending an email, calling or stopping in.

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Shane Stephenson and Zak are the latest additions to the South Portland Police Department’s K-9 unit.