In December of last year, a K-9 officer , Officer Boehmer, in Des Moines, WA made a traffic stop. During the stop, he made a mistake and opened the trunk of a car which violated his agency’s  policy. Several weeks later, the Chief of Police, Ken Thomas, initiated an investigation, in which he tasked to another police agency the, King County Sheriff's Department.  This is the first investigation for this type of action, and while it was a mistake that should not have happened,  Officers are human and make mistakes. I do want to say that this incident did not involve  K-9 Daric!!

The officer was not put on administrative leave during the investigation and continued to work as a K-9 officer. Officer Boehmer has 16 years as a cop and not one single instance of discipline. His record as a K-9 officer is stellar and he is one of the nicest people you could meet. He has no bad bites, no lawsuits and his annual reviews reflect a history of making sound tactical and legal decisions.

In May of this year, six months after the traffic stop, the Chief recommended and imposed discipline that is unheard of for this type of wrong doing. That discipline included loss of his K-9 partner and the officer having to take his dog to the vet to be boarded. The officer had five hours to pack his food and say good bye to K-9 Daric over an incident that had nothing at all to do with the dog, 6 months earlier. There was other discipline imposed as well, but there is a process for grieving the discipline. Everything can be taken care of and we are confident it will be through the help of the Fraternal Order of Police. Except for the K-9 reassignment, once that is done it cannot be undone!

The officer made an offer to the city to buy K-9 Daric for what the city has into him - $10,000, but city admin is leaving the decision to the chief. The same chief who initiated the investigation and imposed discipline. The same chief who, I believe, includes the officers lifestyle as a huge factor in his decision. The officers partner was a sergeant and was demoted for reasons unheard of. Either, 2 officers with 16 and 23 years of accolades, awards and commendations, both became terrible cops in the same year, or the Chief is trying to punish them and run them out just because of their lifestyle.

Anyone can see this decision by the Chief is purely personal and intentionally cruel. The Chief posted a K-9 officer opening on Thursday May 7th (the day the discipline was imposed) and it closes Tuesday May 12th. The chief wants to get the dog reassigned long before the discipline grievance process can play out. Again, pure cruelty. Purely a personal cruel jab at the nicest officer you could meet. No discipline prior to this, no issues at all and a reputation in the city for being social and friendly, with a professional history of good decisions and not one single incident even remotely close to this.

Instead of letting the officer keep his dog and allowing a new handler to get and train with a new dog, the chief wants this officer to work every single day, watching someone new work his dog. Cruelty that will go on for years to come. 

Despite the best option being a new dog for a new handler, which would cost the city NOTHING because the officer offered to pay, the Chief is taking the cruel route. The city would be out not one penny by allowing the officer to keep the dog, because the officer will pay for the cost entirely.

For those who don’t know, the relationship between a K-9 handler and the dog is unique. The handler is with the dog 24/7. They work together every day, train every day and do things at work that most people can’t imagine. They go after fugitives, people who are hiding, track people who fled from crimes and rely on each other. They walk together at home, play together and work as a team every single day.I would invite anyone hesitant to believe what they see on Facebook to do a public disclosure request to the city, and you can see exactly what the facts are.

I am asking the good people not only in the City of Des Moines, but everywhere to sign this petition to keep Officer Boehmer and K-9 Daric together! It's not fair to punish K-9 Daric, and that's exactly what this would be doing. This officer is the only family K-9 Daric knows. How can they do this to him? How can they do this to either of them? Please help me to show this city's officials that this is not right!!

Thank you so very much!!

#teamdaric #bringdarichome #withme #wewontstop #inthisfamilynoonefightsalone #love