Riggs, a 13-month-old German shepherd, was all business the day we met last month at the parking lot of the Waterville police station.
The police dog’s partner, Officer Ryan Dinsmore, carefully guided Riggs from his temporary crate in the back of their patrol SUV and onto the frozen ground. Riggs will use the crate until the SUV is outfitted with special equipment he will need while on patrol.
With the temperature in the mid-20s, it was time for Riggs to be in front of the camera, to shine brightly as the focus of a newspaper story. This was easy for a dog beginning a new job as a police K-9.
It has been 30 years since the Waterville Police Department had a dog on patrol, and for Riggs, it is time to learn obedience and forge a bond with Dinsmore, who has been with the department since 2014.
Waterville police Officer Ryan Dinsmore walks Thursday with Riggs, a 13-month-old German shepherd and the city’s new police K-9, at the Waterville police station at 10 Colby St. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel
Dinsmore and Riggs are getting to know each other, while sharing close quarters in their SUV police cruiser and at the officer’s house.
With gentle coaxing, Riggs hopped down for two purposeful laps around the SUV, which I was happy to photograph. Dinsmore held the sturdy leash as Riggs walked with purpose and control and then got back into the SUV and faced the camera. At first, Riggs stood proudly on the tailgate, in front of Dinsmore. Other photographs show Riggs on Dinsmore’s lap, the dog looking shy and uncomfortable.
The initial photographs were done from a distance, then closer. The lens erases the distance while the photographer stays out of harm’s way. That can be when anticipation blends with luck and sometimes a great photograph happens.
This time it was Riggs that rose to the occasion, something he will be expected to do as Waterville’s K-9 cop.
In a burst of several photographs, the moment unfolded and ended quickly. Riggs was then back to being Riggs — a working dog and a professional of which the community will see more after he and Dinsmore complete a 14-week training course.
Waterville police Officer Ryan Dinsmore with Riggs, a 13-month-old German shepherd and the city’s new police K-9, at the Waterville police station at 10 Colby St. Dinsmore and Riggs are set to begin a 14-week training program at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel
During our session, Riggs offered many expressions, including one, which ran with the Morning Sentinel story, in which the dog is baring his teeth.
The image garnered considerable attention and feedback on the Morning Sentinel’s Facebook page. In just a few days, it had received more than 2,800 likes, comments or shares, and nearly 4,000 people had clicked onto the story, making it one of the Morning Sentinel’s most-viewed posts in months.
The image of Riggs baring his teeth drew mostly cheers, but also some jeers.
Waterville police Chief Joseph Massey contacted the Morning Sentinel to express his displeasure with Riggs’ being portrayed in an aggressive way.
I have met a lot of dogs during my time as a photojournalist.
Part of my previous duties at The Fort Morgan (Colorado) Times was photographing the pet of the week. It was a feature the newspaper did to help find homes for lost or abandoned dogs being held at the pound. Down-on-their-luck dogs could be helped with a simple photograph and a short bio.
I would kneel in front of a dog, flip my cap backward, turn the camera sideways for a vertical shot and set the focus. I would then purse my lips and make a squeak to get the dog’s attention. In an instant, with the dog’s head often tipped and its ears raised, the photograph was done. Sometimes, the dogs looked puzzled. Many times cute.
Over the years, I have been growled at, slobbered on, bit, cuddled and knocked down.
I have met farm dogs that would chase my car on dirt roads. Spent time with show dogs while they got primped. Met lost dogs, sick dogs, dogs being prepped for surgery.
I have known dogs that searched for lost people, sniffed for bombs, comforted people at assisted living facilities or lived with students at college dorms.
It has been fascinating to watch as their personalities unfolded before me, with dispositions and temperaments as interesting as those of their handlers.
I am glad Riggs made the list and am sure Waterville police and the city will be the beneficiaries.
Rich Abrahamson is a photojournalist with the Morning Sentinel.
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