New VPSO K9 Unit Brings Additional Tool for Public Safety in the Copper River Region

The Copper River region has a new partner in the fight against illegal drugs—and he has four legs.

To learn more about the new VPSO canine program, I recently sat down with John Peratrovich, VPSO Coordinator and Regional Public Safety Officer, to discuss the program's purpose, training requirements, and what it means for communities across the region.

The Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) program has recently expanded its capabilities with the addition of Deebo, a specially trained narcotics detection canine. Deebo and Peratrovich are working together to help keep communities safe by locating illegal drugs and supporting public safety efforts throughout the Copper River region and rural Alaska.

According to Peratrovich, the canine program was made possible through funding provided by the State of Alaska and represents an important investment in rural public safety. The program is designed to give VPSOs another resource to help address illegal drug activity while strengthening partnerships with local communities and law enforcement agencies.

“I've always wanted to do this type of work,” Peratrovich said. “I just wish the opportunity had come 20 years earlier.”

Deebo is a one-and-a-half-year-old dog originally bred in Poland before being selected and trained in the United States. Unlike what many people may imagine when they think of police dogs, Deebo is a single-purpose canine trained specifically for narcotics detection. He is not trained as a patrol or apprehension dog.

“He's not a bite dog,” Peratrovich explained. “He's here to find drugs. He's another tool in the tool belt to help combat illegal drugs in our communities.”

The VPSO canine team completed approximately 5 weeks of specialized training through Alabama Canine, a nationally recognized canine training organization. The team learned to detect a variety of illegal narcotics and build the communication and trust necessary for effective field work.

Training involved long days of exercises, dog care, and hands-on practice in a variety of environments. Peratrovich said one of the most rewarding aspects of the process was bringing Deebo home to Alaska and developing a strong working bond.

“It's kind of like any relationship,” he said. “You have to communicate and learn to read each other. Dogs have good days and bad days just like people do.”

The addition of a canine unit comes at a time when many rural communities continue to face challenges associated with illegal drug activity. While large-scale drug seizures are uncommon in rural Alaska, Peratrovich said even removing smaller amounts of illegal substances from communities can make a meaningful difference.

“Whether it's Anchorage, Fairbanks, Tok, Glennallen, or a small village, there's always a need,” he said. “If we can take drugs off the street and help prevent harm, that's important.”

Community education is also a key goal of the program. Peratrovich hopes residents, especially youth, will learn more about the role working dogs can play in public safety and understand that not all police dogs perform the same functions.

“There are tracking dogs, narcotics dogs, patrol dogs, and dual-purpose dogs,” he explained. “People often assume every police dog is trained to bite, but that's not always the case.”

Peratrovich emphasized that Deebo's role is focused solely on narcotics detection and community safety. Deebo also needs to be dispatched, and can not be used spontaneously to find drugs. Peratrovich hopes community members will see the canine program as another resource to help protect families and reduce the impacts of illegal drugs in the region.

Beyond drug detection, the program also reflects the continued growth of partnerships between VPSOs and the Alaska State Troopers. Peratrovich highlighted the strong working relationship that has developed over recent years, helping improve communication, coordination, and public safety services throughout the region.

“We work closely with the Troopers, and that's been good for everybody out here,” he said. “Now with Deebo, it's one more resource available to help our communities.”

Peratrovich, who is Tlingit and Haida, said serving rural Alaska Native communities is something that has always been important to him. He credits part of that commitment to his family history of advocacy and service.

“I like helping people,” he said. “I like helping rural communities. I think that's just part of who we are.”

As the VPSO canine program continues to grow, Peratrovich believes Deebo is only the beginning. He expects canine teams to remain an important part of public safety efforts across rural Alaska in the future.

“I think we're here to stay,” he said. “This is another way we can help protect our communities and support the people who live here.”

For now, Deebo continues training and working alongside Peratrovich, serving as one more line of defense in helping keep the Copper River region safe and healthy for future generations.

Disclosure: Lakota McRoberts works for CRNA, which also administers the VPSO program.