Gov. Beshear Announces State Police K-9 Wins Electronic Detection Categories at National Competition
K-9 Cam competes at Paw 4 Law Foundation’s 7th annual Murrieta Police K-9 Trials
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 6, 2024) – Gov. Andy Beshear announced that Kentucky State Police (KSP) K-9 Cam and his handler, Detective John Sims, recently received three awards at the Paw 4 Law Foundation’s 7th annual Murrieta Police K-9 Trials in Murrieta, California. A total of 40 K-9 teams from across the nation participated in the trials covering multiple disciplines, including agility, obedience, patrol, narcotics detection, article search and electronics detection.
“The Kentucky State Police has a long history of excellence and innovation,” said Gov. Beshear. “Cam and Detective Sims’ recognition through these awards shows not only that KSP is still among the best state law enforcement agencies in the nation, but also that we are on the cutting edge of technological advancement.”
Cam is a 3-year-old black Labrador that is an expert at locating electronic storage devices such as hard drives, USB drives and cellphones.
In 2024, the trials introduced the electronics detection category for the first time, and Cam excelled in this domain. Cam placed first in the electronics detection building search, second in the electronics detection parcel search and third in the electronics detection vehicle search.
“This was the first competition Cam and I attended, and I was excited to be able to compete alongside my partner,” said Detective Sims. “I am thankful and honored to represent the KSP Electronic Crime Branch.”
Sgt. Leslie Strong, the agency’s other electronic storage device (ESD) canine handler, shared her pride in Detective Sims and Cam for representing KSP on the national level.
“I am incredibly proud of Detective Sims and Cam and how they’ve represented our ESD canine program,” said Det. Strong. “It is an honor to work with them, and they deserve to be recognized for their hard work and accomplishments.”
Cam joined KSP in 2022 and became the agency’s second ESD canine. Detective Sims, a 21-year veteran of the agency, and Cam are assigned to the Electronic Crime Branch and work with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) taskforce. In addition to this work, Cam also serves as a therapy and comfort dog.
Cam was trained by Jordan Detection K9, located in Indianapolis, Indiana. They partner with the nonprofit organization Operation Underground Railroad, who assist law enforcement in rescue efforts of children who are victims of human trafficking. Part of their funding includes training ESD canines, and thanks to the partnership, KSP received Cam at no cost to the agency.
The mission of KSP is to promote public safety through service, integrity and professionalism using partnerships to prevent, reduce and deter crime and the fear of crime, enhance highway safety through education and enforcement, and safeguard property and protect individual rights.
To learn more about becoming a KSP trooper, visit our website.
The Beshear-Coleman administration has taken several steps to support law enforcement while creating safer communities.
Gov. Beshear’s Forward, Together budget proposal further protects law enforcement officers while making Kentucky a leader in public safety. The Governor’s proposed budget includes an additional raise for KSP troopers and officers, an increased training stipend, an improved pension system for local and state law enforcement and funding for body armor.
The Governor also announced in December that the value of KSP’s drug seizures in November amounted to over $1.6 million, making it the highest total value seized last year.
Since taking office, Gov. Beshear has awarded more than $10 million in grant funding to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in purchasing the tools and resources that will not only allow them to protect Kentucky communities but will also ensure their safety as they stand on the front lines every day. In August, the administration awarded $2.1 million in grant funding to enhance public safety, curb the sale of illegal drugs and fight addiction.
Click here to review some of the additional actions the Beshear-Coleman administration has taken to support law enforcement, increase public safety and support crime victims.
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