05-04-2025
Jacksonville has a new K-9 officer
Rambo, Jacksonville Police Department's trained police dog, has a new handler – Officer Steve Rodgers. Rodgers' first day on the job with Rambo was Monday.
The duo was certified as a K-9 team through the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association following a month of training at Hill Country Dog Center in Bandera. Rambo, a Dutch Shepherd, specializes in narcotics and apprehension.
Rambo's previous partner Michael Torres was promoted to sergeant, creating a need for a new K-9 officer. Rodgers was chosen from a handful of candidates through a competitive process that involved physical running and personal interviews.
'Everybody likes dogs,' Rodgers said regarding his interest in the position. 'But, I really, really like them. I've always had one. They've always been a part of my life.'
Rodgers, who joined the department in October 2023, said he was familiar with Rambo because Torres, Rambo's previous handler, was one of his field training officers.
'The only thing I had to do was clean up his commands,' Rodgers said. 'He knows how to find dope. He knows how to find drugs. He knows how to chase people down. He listens well. We just worked on obedience and making everything sharp.'
Rodgers added that Rambo is smart enough to know when he can and can't be lazy.
Despite being bite-trained for apprehensions, Rambo has been used as an ambassador for the department, making visits to local schools. He is uncharacteristically calm and laid back, according to Corporal Amanda Bragg.
'He's just chill,' Bragg said. 'He did excellent in the schools before, under Torres. I'm hopeful he will do just as well with Officer Rodgers.'
Rambo, along with Torres, also appeared at community-wide events such as National Night Out.
Rodgers provided instances in which Rambo is utilized on the job. He said if there are suspicions but no probable cause to search a vehicle, Rambo can be deployed. If he alerts to the presence of drugs, the police then have probable cause to conduct a search.
'For apprehension of a fugitive, as long as Graham v. Connor is met, we can send him after somebody,' Rodgers said.
Graham v. Connor is the 1989 U.S. Supreme Court case that established an objective reasonableness standard for evaluating claims of excessive force by police during arrests, investigatory stops or other seizures. Factors used in determining whether a reasonable use of force is the severity of the crime, whether the suspect poses an immediate threat to others and whether the suspect is fleeing or resisting arrest.
'Most of the time your backup is there before you need it,' Rodgers said. 'But, there are occasions where somebody else is tied up and you wind up in a bad position. As soon as you hit the ejector-seat button and he pops out of the car, he's going to help a whole lot. It takes a situation that's rough and scary and makes it manageable.'
Rodgers said Rambo is in the back of the police car for approximately 80% of their shift.
According to Bragg, K-9 officers are extremely dedicated because they not only work a specific shift, but are on call all the time. While members of the Jacksonville Police Department, Rambo and Rodgers may also be called upon to assist other law enforcement agencies.
After being deployed, Rambo is rewarded with his favorite toy – a black Kong, a snowman-shaped, rubber toy.
'He really likes coming here,' Rodgers said about Rambo's work environment. 'When we pull in the parking lot, he's stoked about it.'
At the end of the work day, Rambo goes home with Rodgers, where he has already become part of the family.
'He initially missed his last dad, you could tell, but I did everything I could to make him feel comfortable and immediately integrated him into my family,' Rodgers said.
Rodgers is married with two children, ages 10 and 5, has a fox red Labrador and a cat, which he says Rambo fears.
Police dogs usually work from 10 to 12 years. When Rambo, who has been on the job for five years, is ready to retire, Rodgers said he'll be allowed to adopt the dog.
