Sandy Springs Police K9's Obtain Narcotics Detector Certification

Sign up for the Sandy Springs Patch newsletter!

---

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- On Tuesday, 4 K9 teams from the Sandy Springs Police Department and one from the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office make the trip to Cherokee County to certify their canine partners through the National Narcotics Detector Dog Association.

The certification was conducted by Cherokee Sheriff's Office Sgt. Matthew Azaroff, one of six Georgia certifying officials with the organization, the sheriff's office said.

Each year, Sgt. Azaroff performs more than 60 certifications for the organization in the areas of narcotics and explosives detection, as well as police service dog for teams all over the state.

Sgt. Azaroff is one of only six certifying officials in the state of Georgia, and the only explosives detection certifying official in the state for the NNDDA

K9 Rock and his handler, Sgt. Mike Dewald, were back in action as a team on Tuesday, two weeks after Rock was assaulted by an entering auto suspect during a police chase.

Rock was struck several times in the face and head by the suspect, Johnathan Michael Wimbs, 25, who was wearing brass knuckles during the alleged attack.

Other SSPD K9s and their handlers taking part in the training include: James Reynnells with K9 Django; Sean Hanse with K9 Igor; and Mike Stark with K9 Renzo.

---

Photos 1: Sgt. Mike DeWald (left), runs his partner, K9 Rock, who is looking for narcotics. Sgt. Matthew Azaroff (right) conducts certification.
Photo 2: Officer Mike DeWald (left), K-9 Rock and Sgt. Matthew Azaroff
Credits: Cherokee Sheriff's Office