Robert Gutierrez

Corporal Robert Gutierrez took the oath of office in June of 2001. As an officer in the Uniform Division, he serves as an Evidence Tech and the K-9 Handler of canine “Gino.”  On June 1, 2013, through funding supported by community donations, the Griffith Police Department implemented its first certified K-9 Unit. Canine Gino is certified through the American Police Canine Association for Patrol (obedience, area search, article search, aggression control, building search, trailing) and narcotic detection. Canine Gino was born in France, on November 21, 2011, and later united with Corporal Gutierrez in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. There, at the direction of Master Trainer Bob Anderson, they completed a Police Patrol/Narcotic Detection Handler course with International K-9 College Incorporated. Later, at the direction of Master Trainer Commander Jeff Rynearson, of the South Bend Police Department, Corporal Gutierrez and K-9 Gino completed a six week Police Patrol/Narcotic Detection Handler course, at Midwest K9 Training Incorporated. Additionally, K-9 Gino has received specialty training with Greene Dog Consulting LLC, Baden K-9, Charles Kirchner Canine Consultants Inc, American Police Canine Association, Hobart Police Department, and Master Tracking Trainer (retired) Sergeant Charlie Douthett. The Griffith Police K-9 Unit thanks all the community for their generous support and contributions that made our K-9 Unit a possibility.