Police officers’ primary responsibilities are to protect and serve their communities; the number one priority for themselves and for their families is to return home safe at the end of every shift. In order to accomplish these goals, they rely on their training and other tools. Officer Ryan Coll, a seven year veteran of the Metro Police Department, has additional support on the street: a K9 dog.
When did you decide to become a K9 officer? Why?
I worked patrol for five years before I was assigned to a proactive undercover unit. We started doing training operations with K9 and I immediately knew that was where I wanted my police career to go. I’ve always had a love and affinity for dogs and the companionship and loyalty they bring. But interacting with and seeing a true “working dog” was something special.
How did you get paired up with Diesel?
When someone transfers over to our unit, our head trainer goes to a kennel that specifically sells working breeds for military and police. The dogs at these kennels are put through various tests to determine if they’ll be able to do the job we ask of them in the real world. The head trainer selects the dogs and brings them back. When Diesel was assigned to me, I had two names picked out for him - Ragnar and Diesel. I let my oldest son choose.
Tell me about Diesel and what makes him a great police dog.
Diesel is a three-year-old half Belgian Malinois and half German Shepherd, and he has a tremendous drive and loves to work. As aggressive and dangerous as he is on the streets, he is equally loving and playful. His ability to turn his “work mode” on and off still amazes me. When it comes to police work, he always puts himself between me and danger. I trust him with my life.
What is he trained to do?
Diesel is trained in agility, obedience, suspect search, open-area search for articles/evidence, suspect apprehension, and suspect tracking. He will soon be trained in narcotic detection as well. Diesel was trained by both the head trainer and by me.
How does he help you with your job?
Diesel’s greatest asset, and our most frequent use, is as a de-escalation tool. A lot of violent and noncompliant individuals will peacefully surrender when a K9 is brought into the picture. Police K9s are also utilized in clearing buildings, especially large structures where a criminal has broken in and is hiding. Diesel is also used quite often for suspect tracking. When a violent and dangerous individual runs from officers on foot and poses a danger to society, we’re called to track and apprehend the suspect. He can also be used to find discarded evidence of a suspect who flees.
When Diesel is not working, what does he like to do?
Diesel lives with me and my family. His favorite place to be is outside under our deck or inside on our couch with my wife. When he’s home, he’s the most affectionate and loving dog. He loves to play ball and be brushed by my youngest son or just lay on the floor and watch movies with my oldest son.
Is there anything else you would like to mention?
Since I got Diesel in 2022, we’ve been unitized in over 50 operations. In 2023, we competed in the National Field Trials for USPCA (United States Police Canine Association) against 80 dog teams being tested in obedience, suspect search, open area search, and suspect apprehension. Diesel and I won 2nd team overall. Aside from being a husband and a father, being a K9 handler and working with Diesel is one of my greatest accomplishments. He truly is my best friend.