Sheriff’s First Female K9 Officer

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has appointed Deputy Cassandra Cassingham as the first female assigned as Canine Handler. She will serve with her new partner, Duke, a three-year-old German Sheppard, on patrol in Santa Cruz County. Deputy Cassingham and Duke completed an intensive eight-week training program approved by the California Peace Office and Standards Commission. Duke is certified in narcotics detection and locating and apprehending suspects.

The average service life of a patrol dog is five to seven years and they commonly are partnered with the same deputy during that entire time. Canine teams are an additional tool the Department uses to locate missing persons, increase officer safety during searches or high-risk arrests, and find hidden contraband.

Sheriff-elect Jim Hart stated, “I am very proud to announce that Deputy Cassingham has been assigned to the canine program. Our canine deputies perform a valuable service to the public and the Sheriff’s Office and I am confident that Deputy Cassingham and Duke will be great partners and serve the community well.”