Saber
When YPSO established a new K-9 program in 2018, Saber was our first K-9. Saber is now a 5 ½-year-old German shepherd born in the Czech Republic.
Saber’s first official day of work was December 4, 2018. His handler, Sergeant Brett Schultz, is an 18-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office.
K-9s play a vital role in law enforcement. They are a proven law enforcement tool that has the potential to save time and resources. K-9s’ keen sense of smell, coupled with their speed and agility, can locate people or objects in less time than deputies.
In high-risk situations, K-9s can apprehend suspects without personal injury or risk to deputies or civilians. Having a K-9 on-scene, visible and available for deployment, frequently de-escalates a situation and leads to the peaceful apprehension of suspects.
Saber was purchased from Tarheel Canine in North Carolina, which specializes in importing and training police service dogs. Deputies traveled to Tarheel Canine in May 2018 to select a dog. Once Saber was selected, he spent the next five months training daily. In November 2018, Deputy Schultz traveled to North Carolina and spent four additional weeks training with Saber.
Deputy Schultz added, “Saber is a great dog with a very high drive and loves to train and work. I have great expectations of him.”