By Mike Simmons
Mike Wilkinson began his police career with the Crestview, FL Police Department. A few years later, he joined the Pensacola Police force. He worked in Patrol, TAC, Field Training, and Investigations, but his real love was the K-9 Corps. When Mike was assigned Choc, they, along with Jim Andrews and Buster, became the first officer-K-9 team in the history of the Pensacola Police Department. Mike was promoted to sergeant in 1998. Mike and his wife, Dixie, live in Pensacola.
Jim Andrews grew up in Pensacola. In 1986, he joined the force and found that he was good at it! He worked in Patrol, Tac, Vice and Investigations. An interview with him enlightened me on the genesis of the Pensacola Police K-9 Unit. The commander of the Vice and Intelligence Unit was Lt. Steve Banakas. Steve had heard about how vital police K-9s were in the detection of illegal drugs. When he asked for a volunteer to be the “K-9 guinea pig,” Jim stepped up. After Jim and the local K-9 expert, Susie Rogers, searched high and low, they came across a black cocker spaniel in Mobile, Alabama that fit the bill! Buster was employed, and, along with Mike Wilkinson and Choc, the PPD had a K-9 Unit!
I remember that the Department did a name the K-9 contest, that is how Buster got his name.( Skip Bollens )
Yep. Lots of names, but that one was the best.
I heard that the prior Chief said they would have K9’s when the could drive ans take reports. Thank goodness that changed. I heard that Buster left a gift on the Chief’s Office floor?
I heard the first part was true, but I haven’t heard about the second part.