Meet the New Oak Creek Police Dog

The newest member of the Oak Creek Police Department is of the four-legged variety. 

Nox is the new Oak Creek police canine and works the overnight shift alongside Officer Dawn Hanizeski. He spent several weeks training for patrol and narcotics work, which included learning how to detect drugs and people, search open areas and buildings, search for evidence and protect his partner.

Nox, who started his duties at the department at the end of May, takes over for the now-retired canine Kuno. 

Hanizeski grew up wanting to work with animals, so she was naturally interested when the canine handler position opened up after Kuno's retirement. The department selected her after interviews with the command staff and current and previous police canine handlers. 

"It's the one thing I knew I wanted to do when I started at the department, said Hanizeski, a six-year veteran of the Oak Creek police force. 

Hanizeski and Nox spent six weeks together in North Carolina. They trained all day, every day, which made for an intense experience, Hanizeski said.

"It was completely new to me and it took a lot of work to grasp and feel comfortable to the point where I feel great working with him and can do anything that I'm asked of our team to do," she said.

"He's phenomenal. He knows exactly what he's doing all the time—it's me that has to catch up with him."

They continue to train each day while on patrol, and also build their relationship and trust with each other. 

The latter part came relatively quickly, though Hanizeski pointed out that Nox works for the police department and not her.

"Every handler needs to remember that the canine is a tool for the department," she said. "He's there to serve the police department."

While they work 3rd shift, Hanizeski and Nox are on call 24 hours a day. But that's something Hanizeski, who worked second shift prior to moving to 3rd shift with Nox, is used to, as she is also a member of the department's SWAT team.

Nox and Hanizeski will probably be working together for about the next 10 years. And while they haven't been too busy so far, that is sure to change. 

"I have no doubt we'll get into our fair share of stuff along the way," Hanizeski said.