03/05/2025, Saturday

The Future of Law Enforcement is Here

The Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office is taking a giant leap into the future of law enforcement with the establishment of its new Advanced Tactical K9 Division. This is a new era for K9 units. While still relying on the incredible capabilities of our four-legged partners, the OCSO is also deploying cutting-edge robot dog technology to enhance the safety and effectiveness of its operations.

Why the Advanced Tactical K9 Division?

Acting Sheriff Jason explains that this move is all about providing deputies with the best possible tools: “The creation of the Advanced Tactical K9 Division marks a significant step forward in our commitment to public safety. This division will provide our deputies with cutting-edge resources to address a wide range of challenges..."

The Stars of the Division

The division will feature two distinct types of K9 units:

Traditional K9 Units: The OCSO’s traditional K9 units will be composed of highly trained German Shepherds. These dogs and their handlers excel in:

• Narcotics detection

• Explosives detection

• Tracking and apprehension

• Search and Rescue

Robot Dog Units: OCSO is also integrating Spot robot dogs into its tactical operations. These robots are changing the game with their ability to:

• Navigate complex and hazardous environments

• Provide real-time situational awareness through advanced sensors and cameras

• Collect critical data

• Support tactical operations in high-risk scenarios

• Perform the same capabilities as traditional K9s

What This Means for Outagamie County

The Advanced Tactical K9 Division will work alongside other OCSO units and neighboring agencies to provide support in critical situations, including:

• High-risk warrant service

• Active shooter incidents

• Search and rescue operations

• Bomb threats

• Narcotics investigations

Lieutenant Puppo, commander of the Advanced Tactical K9 Division, emphasized the benefits of this new technology: "The integration of robot dog technology into our K9 division represents a forward-thinking approach to law enforcement. These robots will enhance our ability to respond to critical incidents, minimize risk to our deputies, and ultimately better serve the citizens of Outagamie County."

The Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of service and protection for its citizens. The Advanced Tactical K9 Division is a significant investment in that mission.