K9 cop Maree joins local OSP ranks

Maree, a 3 1/2-year-old black Lab, recently became the first drug detection dog ever assigned to the Oregon State Police’s La Grande station. In her first real-world assignment, she was instrumental in a seizure of 50 pounds of marijuana. CHRIS BAXTER

That goes double for detectives of the four-footed persuasion. Maree, a 3 1/2-year-old black Lab who recently joined the Oregon State Police, fits the bill to a T.

Bright-eyed, enthusiastic and eager, Maree lives to put her training — and her best asset, her nose — to the test.

“I absolutely love having Maree as a partner,” said her handler, Trooper Marcus McDowell. “She’s a great resource in furthering my abilities to do my job.”

Maree was trained by Christina Bunn, a master instructor with Puget Sound Security Detection Dogs in the Seattle area. Following training, Maree became the first K-9 ever to be assigned to the OSP’s La Grande station.

McDowell, who has spent three of his five years as an OSP trooper at the La Grande post, was one of several officers who applied to be her handler.

He said he applied mainly because he knew Maree would help him be more effective in his job.

Besides, he loves dogs.

“I’ve had dogs all my life, and usually a Lab,” he said.

In an intense, three-week training session in Medford, McDowell and Maree learned how to work together as a team.

By that time, Maree was already expert at detecting marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. McDowell’s task was to learn how to handle her.

“It started out simple, then progressed to searches in vehicles, buildings and in open fields,” he said. “Her job is to detect the substance, and mine is to watch for changes in her that tell me she’s found something.”

Every time she’s successful, she gets to play with a rolled up towel. That might not seem to be much of a reward, but it’s plenty for Maree.

As shown in a recent demonstration at the La Grande station, Maree lives to play with that toy.

Maree is small for her breed, wiry, strong and full of energy. McDowell said her size is an advantage in the job.

“She’s real good at getting in and out of vehicles and over and around obstacles,” he said.

For as long as they’re partners, McDowell and Maree will train together, keeping their skills sharp.

McDowell said they are required to spend four hours a week training together. They will also attend a one-week, formal training session every three months.

He said the dog knows the difference between a pretend situation and a real one.

“She knows when she comes out of the car if it’s training or a field application,” he said.

McDowell and Maree stay together 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to being a law enforcement partner, the dog is a full-time member of the McDowell family.

Likely, she’ll work about five years before retirement. Then, McDowell will apply to keep her.

In the meantime, there’s a lot of work to do, many cases to crack. The OSP is happy to have Maree as an officer.

“We hope we can impact the drug trade in Northeast Oregon,” said Sgt. Larry Graves of the La Grande station. “If we can get drugs off the streets and out of the hands of children, it will be a tremendous asset.”