The Sedona Police Department is selling “Mini Sam” stuffed black Labrador retriever K-9 dogs for $20, with proceeds going to local demonstrations for K-9 units and Sam and his handler, Officer Katherine Beers. It will be used to support additional training. .
“The most rewarding part of my position at Sedona is being able to: [do] There are drug arrests, but we can still go to school and do community work. [events] That’s the best combination for me,” Beers said.
Beals said preparing for public events with Sam requires a lot of effort, especially on holidays.
“I have to put on the uniform and get Sam ready because he always has to take a bath before he goes anywhere so everyone can pet him,” Beals said. said. “A one-hour event can take up three to four hours of the day, which means each event can cost the city hundreds of dollars. [an event]. What we want to be able to do. Because I don’t want to refuse [events]”
Beers said she was inspired to sell stuffed dogs while training with Prescott Police Department Officer Kyle Alltop. He was selling K-9 Cooper stuffed animals.
The stuffed animals are manufactured by Hero Industries, a company that creates custom replicas of police dogs, as well as custom challenge coins and custom teddy bears that can be branded for various agencies.
Alltop said he has raised “nearly $1,000” over the past two years, and said several other agencies, including Chino Valley and the Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Association, have similar programs.
“This is good communication with people who may be a little at odds with law enforcement, whether it’s kids being interested in stuffed animals or kids opening up and talking to us.” line,” Alltop said. “I have a friend who bought this and his kid sleeps on it so it gives him some peace of mind. [It] This allows people to think that law enforcement is always there, resulting in positive interactions. ”
“Our goal is [as a] The team is supposed to take dangerous drugs off the streets,” Beals said. “But at the same time, Sam is a floppy-eared dog so he’s very friendly, so we can use him for community events. So it’s a great mix.”
Since being certified in October 2023, Beal and Sam have been deployed 38 times, resulting in arrests.
“[The] total weight of drugs [apprehended by the two] They are unavailable due to out-of-city deployments,” said SPD Sgt. Christopher Stevens said: “Deployments outside the city have only been documented with other agencies, but all were for small amounts of personal use and equipment.”
SPD has been selling the stuffed animals since its annual community outreach event held on October 5th. “We sold 50 to 60 at that event alone. That was the beginning of getting them out there and getting them seen by the community,” Beers said.
“The total annual cost for Sam from kindergarten through ninth grade is approximately $6,000 to $10,000,” Stevens said, with funding coming from donations, grants and the SPD general fund.
“My goal is to get him to do two things: track and tail, and that training cost him close to $10,000, plus the money in his dog account.” [Sam’s] “The purpose would be drugs first and then tracking and tailing for search and rescue purposes,” Beals said.
Beals said there are currently no plans to introduce an action figure of himself along with the Sam stuffed animal.
“Mini Sam” can be purchased at the Sedona Police Department, located at 100 Roadrunner Drive, or directly from the beer when the two attend community events. Donations to the SPD K-9 program can also be made at Beal or at City Hall.
“If other schools want a demonstration, they just ask,” Beals said.
For beer inquiries, please contact cbeers@sedonaaz.gov.
